Approaches
to the Study of the Presidency
|
How Political Scientists Have
Studied the Most Powerful Institution of American Government Over time, political scientists have changed their
approach to the study of the presidency.
Different eras have concentrated on different approaches to the
presidency. These changes reflect
changes in the nature of the discipline of Political Science (especially
paradigmatic changes). The Basic Approaches to the Study of the Presidency: The Constitutional Approach The Historical Approach The Structural Approach The Behavioral Approach The Power Approach The Timeline Beginning-early 1900s Constitutional and Historical Approaches Reflect the Historical and Legalist Roots of
Political Science The Constitutional Approach An approach which looks at the Presidency from the
perspective of its "place in the constitutional order" Often mingled with the historical approach as it
explores how presidential actions, court decisions and congressional
reactions have either been affected by constitutional prescription or have
altered constitutional prescription (through silences, constitutional
changes, etc.) Primary source of exploration: -- event analysis -- judicial decisions -- presidential/congressional "turf"
battles -- historical analysis of precedent setting actions
by the President The Historical Approach An approach (often commingled with the
constitutional approach) which explores how the office has developed over
time. It explores all types of actions which have
altered how the presidency operates, especially historical events which have
had a dramatic impact upon the operation of the presidency: -- growth of the country (nationalization or
"popularization" of the office) -- the Civil War (war powers) -- the Depression (economic powers) -- the Nixon era (curtailing economic and war
powers) 1900s-1940s---- The Structural Approach Reflects the growth of the Office of the President
and the Public Administration roots of Political Science ie., the school of
"scientific management" and the administrative approach. The Brownlow Com. and
the subsequent expansion of the Executive Office of the President reinforce
this approach during the early decades of the century. This approach concentrates on the role which
various organization or structures within the Executive branch play in the
study of the presidency. Of particular importance is the executive Office
of the Presidency, the Cabinet and executive agencies and the role of
bureaucratic behavior in understanding the presidency. It also has a decision-making focus. 1940s-present--- The Behavioral Approach Reflects the growth of the use of psychological
theories in studying behavior and the personalization of the office Many studies utilize typologies derivative of McCllelland 's
theories of motivation. Foremost among these authors is James David Barber
and his book Presidential Character. Other authors utilize "offshoots" of
this approach to emphasize the "popular connection" between the
people and the President. Of particular importance are studies which tie
"public expectations" to presidential behavior. 1980s-present--- The Power Approach Reflects an attempt to integrate the various approaches
together with a concern for the ability of the President to wield power. The focus is upon the exercise of power and the
factors which either expand or contract a president's ability to exert power. |