Empirically  

Approaches to the Study of the Presidency

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 

 
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

The Structural Approach

influenced by the school of "scientific management" and the administrative approach.

The Brownlow Commission 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

The Behavioral Approach

An approach which utilizes psychological factors to explore the behavior of the Chief Executive.

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 and a concern for the ability of the President to wield power.

The Power Approach

A new, systematic approach which tries to tie all of these other approaches together.

The focus is upon the exercise of power and the factors which either expand or contract a president's ability to exert power.


  In this class, we will use as our base for analysis:

The Presidential Power Paradigm

Comparatively

Presidential vs. parliamentary system

president vs. prime minister

See: Verney