The American Presidency: An Institutional Approach to Executive Politics

This textbook emphasizes the institutional sources of presidential power and executive governance, providing a comprehensive guide to the American presidency. It covers the Constitution, elections, transitions, interactions with Congress, courts, and bureaucracy, and efforts to shape public policy. It encourages students to view the institutional presidency as a way of thinking about executive politics and highlights the lasting effects of historical moments on power, rules, norms, and organization.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 664 pages
Publication date: 21 February 2023
Publisher: Princeton University Press

This comprehensive undergraduate textbook delves into the intricate interplay between institutions and the American presidency, offering a profound understanding of the sources and dynamics of presidential power and executive governance. Written by renowned scholar William Howell, the book provides a unique perspective on the world's most powerful office, spanning from its constitutional origins to its historical evolution, elections, transitions, interactions with Congress, courts, and federal bureaucracy, as well as its ongoing efforts to shape public policy.

In its extensive scope, The American Presidency encompasses a wide range of topics, drawing upon the latest scholarship to provide students with a comprehensive and up-to-date understanding of the presidency. It emphasizes the institutional frameworks that presidents must navigate, the incentives and opportunities that influence their decisions, and the constraints they face on a daily basis. By examining these factors, the book encourages students to view the institutional presidency as a way of thinking about executive politics rather than merely an object of study.

One of the key strengths of The American Presidency is its ability to shed light on the diverse ways in which legislators, judges, bureaucrats, the media, and the broader public shape the contours and limits of presidential power. It explores how these actors interact with the president, influence his agenda, and shape public opinion, ultimately determining the extent to which the president can achieve his goals. This nuanced analysis provides students with a deeper appreciation of the complex dynamics that govern the American political system.

Furthermore, the book highlights the lasting effects of important historical moments on the institutional presidency. It examines how events such as the Civil War, the Great Depression, and the Watergate scandal have shaped the role and powers of the president, and how these legacies continue to influence the presidency today. By examining these historical turning points, students gain a deeper understanding of the resilience and adaptability of the American political system.

In addition to its analytical depth, The American Presidency is designed to engage students and promote critical thinking. It includes thought-provoking questions, case studies, and exercises that encourage students to apply their knowledge and analyze the complexities of the institutional presidency. The book also encourages students to consider the broader themes of power, rules, norms, and organization that undergird democracy, helping them to develop a more nuanced and informed perspective on the role of the president in a democratic society.

Overall, The American Presidency is an essential textbook for anyone interested in studying the presidency, politics, and American government. It provides a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the institutional sources of presidential power and executive governance, enabling students to think more clearly and systematically about the American presidency at a time of acute partisan polarization and popular anxiety about the health and well-being of the republic. Whether you are a student, scholar, or simply interested in understanding the workings of American politics, this book is a valuable resource that will deepen your understanding of the presidency and its role in shaping the nation.

Weight: 1318g
Dimension: 253 x 179 x 40 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691225579