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POL 313
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The Presidency |
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While
Neustadt gives us a 1960s view of the presidency
and presidential powers, what do contemporary scholars think about the
presidency? 1) the traditional presidency 2) the modern presidency 3)
the post-modern presidency part
of the distinction between these presidencies lies in the audiences for each the traditional and modern presidency--a domestic audience the
post-modern presidency--an international audience the
evolution of the presidency has been shaped by three things: 1) constitutional doctrines 2) urgent problems that force the president to act (crisis) 3)
resources that enable the president's actions to have great impact The Traditional Presidency -designed
two centuries ago to protect the people from an autocratic monarch -constrained
by the separation of powers -the
traditional presidency was intended to be a do-nothing office because the
Founding Fathers were on guard against an autocratic monarch -the primary responsibility of the president was to see that the laws of Congress were faithfully executed
Taft's
literalist interpretation -This
view takes place within the context of a dominant domestic realm and reflects
the relative isolationism of the times The Modern Presidency an outgrowth of the new expectations created by FD
Roosevelt's actions
a) President is to propose legislation and make
budget recommendations to Congress and secure congressional endorsement of
his proposals
b) President is to be active in defending and
advancing
c) President is to be a visible national leader who
projects
d) President is to command the political and
national resources to meet these expectations
What was the "institutional reaction"? the Supreme Court (and Congress) generally
acquiesced to this view
Presidential and national resources have grown and,
as a result,
modern Presidents began to become enmeshed in foreign policy for both military and economic reasons: a) the b) the "mature" c) nature of social policy in US "tweaking the edges" of social/ domestic policy d)
One can thus ask the question: presidential power? globalization and the intertwined international
economy the rise (and then collapse) of communism global epidemics (AIDS) potential global environmental disasters (manmade
or natural) The Post-Modern Presidency Rose argues: US now the dominant but not sole player in the
world economics-- military--(
we can be the victims of forces abroad
As a result, US needs other actors to support US
actions
the post-modern President does not really have the
resources to meet all
of the international challenges that arise
Rose: "Jimmy Carter has the unenviable
distinction of being In retrospect, the problems of the Carter
administration (oil and hostages) appear less a reflection of the man in the
Oval Office and more as
Presidents now seek to cooperate and compete with
our allies
Presidents increasingly must deal with foreigners
who run governments and central banks and control hostages
--develop coalitions for --economic bailout of Asian economies
Do these new demands compete with the president's
responsibilities in the domestic sphere?
Problems Related to the Post-Modern
Presidency A) The campaign is irrelevant to international issues a) little time spent on international affairs issues 2) grueling race creates little time for reflection on international issues 3)
gubernatorial advantage= people with no international experience B) President is at a
disadvantage vs. Other international actors 1) Prime Ministers are much more experienced and don't have to "learn on the job" when it comes to international issues 2) Prime Minister has legislative support while President may not 3) Prime Minister has control over Cabinet members 4)
Prime Minister has more control over economic and budgetary issues and
policies
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