Presidency and Domestic Policy: Comparing Leadership Styles, FDR to Obama

by Michael A. Genovese, Todd L. Belt, William W. Lammers

Overview

This book systematically examines the first terms of every president from FDR to Barack Obama and assesses the leadership style and policy agenda of each. Success in bringing about policy change is shown to hinge on the leadership style and skill in managing a variety of institutional and public relationships. The second edition of this timely book adds chapters on George W. Bush and Obama and focuses on the significant domestic policy challenges of their respective times. The authors have reconfigured the analytical framework of the book to take into account the 'dynamic opportunity structure' that emerged during the George W. Bush administration. The Presidency and Domestic Policy provides unique insights into contemporary presidential leadership in a highly partisan age.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781317253587
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	11/17/2015
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	384
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Michael A. Genovese is Director of the Institute for Leadership Studies and holds the Loyola Chair of Leadership as Professor of Political Science at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. He received his PhD in political science from the University of Southern California and has authored over 30 books and edits a series on the presidency. Genovese has won numerous awards for outstanding teaching and scholarship.

Todd L. Belt is Professor of Political Science at the University of Hawai’i at Hilo. He received his PhD at the University of Southern California. He is the coauthor of the books We Interrupt This Newscast: How to Improve Local News and Win Ratings, Too and Getting Involved: A Guide to Student Citizenship.

William W. Lammers (late) was Professor of Political Science at the University of Southern California. He was an authority on presidential politics and federal policies toward the aging, and he dedicated his research to American political processes and public policy formation. His books include Presidential Politics: Patterns and Prospects and Public Policy and the Aging.

Table of Contents

List of Tables
Preface

Part I. The High Opportunity Presidents
Chapter 1. Strategies for Assessing Presidents
Chapter 2. Franklin D. Roosevelt: Artful Leadership during Hard Times
Chapter 3. Lyndon B. Johnson: Legislative Leadership and a Credibility Gap
Chapter 4. Ronald Reagan: One Big Year
Chapter 5. George W. Bush: A Resolute Decider with a Co-President

Part II. The Moderate Opportunity Presidents
Chapter 6. Harry S. Truman: A Broker with Beliefs
Chapter 7. Dwight D. Eisenhower: A Skilled Centrist
Chapter 8. John F. Kennedy: A Quest for Heroic Leadership
Chapter 9. Barack Obama: A Negotiator without a Partner

Part III. The Low Opportunity Presidents
Chapter 10. Richard Nixon: An Activist with an Enemies List
Chapter 11. Jimmy Carter: An Outsider’s Pursuit of “Trustee†Leadership
Chapter 12. George Bush: A Reluctant Guardian
Chapter 13. Bill Clinton: A Perpetual Campaigner under Siege

Part IV. Conclusion
Chapter 14. Opportunities, Challenges, and Skills: Comparing the Presidents

Select Bibliography
Subject Index
Citations of Authors

Editorial Reviews

Praise for the New Edition:

"this new edition adds George W. Bush's and Barack Obama's presidencies...The authors argue that, given their levels of opportunity, different presidents overachieved while others underachieved...This book is clearly written, easy to understand, and full of interesting anecdotes to help support its arguments. Summing Up: Highly recommended. General readers and undergraduate students."
—CHOICE

"Building on prior editions, Genovese, Belt, and Lammers have produced an insightful, discriminating, and cogent update to the study of presidential leadership in domestic policy that melds theory with the challenges individual presidents have confronted in the modern era. This highly readable account is a 'must' for courses on the presidency and American politics."
—Richard S. Conley, University of Florida

“Genovese, Belt, and Lammers have set a new standard for studies of presidential leadership in domestic policy. Their book gives a close-up view of modern presidents in action, while keeping in mind the larger context in which chief executives operate. Their analysis is thoughtful and judicious, and their case studies are interesting and well-written. This book will be useful to students and scholars alike.”
—Ryan J. Barilleaux, Miami University of Ohio

Praise for the First Edition:

“This is an elegant, even magisterial work on the presidency that combines theoretical sophistication with engaging presidential storytelling. Students as well as scholars will appreciate this fine book.”
—Robert J. Spitzer, SUNY Cortland

Praise for the New Edition:

"this new edition adds George W. Bush's and Barack Obama's presidencies...The authors argue that, given their levels of opportunity, different presidents overachieved while others underachieved...This book is clearly written, easy to understand, and full of interesting anecdotes to help support its arguments. Summing Up: Highly recommended. General readers and undergraduate students."
— CHOICE

"Building on prior editions, Genovese, Belt, and Lammers have produced an insightful, discriminating, and cogent update to the study of presidential leadership in domestic policy that melds theory with the challenges individual presidents have confronted in the modern era. This highly readable account is a 'must' for courses on the presidency and American politics."
— Richard S. Conley, University of Florida

"Genovese, Belt, and Lammers have set a new standard for studies of presidential leadership in domestic policy. Their book gives a close-up view of modern presidents in action, while keeping in mind the larger context in which chief executives operate. Their analysis is thoughtful and judicious, and their case studies are interesting and well-written. This book will be useful to students and scholars alike."
— Ryan J. Barilleaux, Miami University of Ohio

Praise for the First Edition:

"This is an elegant, even magisterial work on the presidency that combines theoretical sophistication with engaging presidential storytelling. Students as well as scholars will appreciate this fine book."
— Robert J. Spitzer, SUNY Cortland

From the Publisher