Реферат: Imperial Presidency Overview Essay Research Paper Imperial

these actions, Schlesinger shows how the presidency gradually accumulated power.

He shows how the presidents wrestled power away from Congress bit by bit over

time. The reactions of Congress are analyzed as well as the rest of Washington,

and the general public. Schlesinger describes how the president gradually, over

time, began to make more and more decisions on his own, leaving Congress in the

dark. His incredible historical knowledge allows him to justify all his

arguments. He provides more than sufficient specific information on what was

really going on in Washington and the White House. It seems as though

Schlesinger knew the specifics and background of every major presidential

decision and treaty every made.

As he moves into the twentieth century, Schlesinger expresses the

opinion that the presidency is gaining too much power and that Congress has not

taken the necessary measures to prevent this. Schlesinger expresses disapproval

of the secrecy that presidents have been exercising and their practice of

circumventing Congress. He directs the most disapproval towards the Nixon

administration. He speaks of Nixon as the most secretive and the most

independent from Congress. The Nixon administration was characterized by the

sneakiness that Schlesinger most strongly disapproved of. Schlesinger does not

express his opinions outright, but infers them through the tone of his writing.

Presidential Power

In his book, Richard Neustadt discusses the quest for power and

influence that has become necessary for a modern president to be effective. He

believes that the constitution provides only for the president to be a clerk.

This is why it is necessary for a president to be thirsty for power to be

effective. There is very little power provided for the constitution. He has to

have the initiative to make things happen. The key to power, he believes, is

the ability to persuade people. Neustadt contends that the power of the

President is constantly in jeopardy, and that the ability to persuade is

necessary for the president not only to gain power, but to also maintain his