The American Presidency by Forrest Mcdonald
In this work, McDonald explores how and why the presidency has evolved into such a complex and powerful institution, unlike any other in the world. Scores of republics have come into existence during the last two centuries and many have adopted constitutions similar to the USA's. But, McDonald argues, the American presidency is unique - no other nation has a leadership position that combines the seemingly incongruous roles of ceremonial head of state and chief executive magistrate. Lacking an acceptable role model, McDonald explains, the founding fathers constructed their idea of the presidency from sources as diverse as the Bible, Machiavelli, John Locke, the Ancient Greeks and Romans, the laws of England and the early colonial and state government experiences. So many influences, he suggests, guaranteed a substantial degree of persistent ambiguity and contradiction in the office. McDonald chronicles the presidency's creation, implementation and evolution and explains why it's still working today despite its many perceived afflictions. Along the way, he provides commentary on the Constitutional Convention, ratification debates, presidencies of Washington and Jefferson, presidential administration and leadership, presidential-congressional conflicts, the president as chief architect of foreign policy, and the president as myth and symbol. He also analyses the gap between what is expected of presidents and what they can reasonably hope to accomplish.
McDonald, Forrest: -
Forrest McDonald is Distinguished University Research Professor of History at the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa. He is the author of many books on American history including A Constitutional History of the United States, E Pluribus Unum, and Novus Ordo Seclorum: The Intellectual Origins of the Constitution.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780700606528 |
| ISBN 10 | 0700606521 |
| Title | The American Presidency |
| Author | Forrest Mcdonald |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Hardback |
| Publisher | University Press of Kansas |
| Year published | 1994-02-28 |
| Number of pages | 516 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |