Presidential Leadership: Politics and Policy Making

by George C. Edwards III

With a focus on presidential leadership, the authors address the capacity of chief executives to fulfill their tasks, exercise their powers, and utilize their organizational structures to affect the output of government. The authors examine all aspects of the presidency in rich detail, including the president’s powers, presidential history, and the institution of the presidency. Guiding their analysis is their unique contrast between two broad perspectives on the presidency—the constrained president (“facilitator”) and the dominant president (“director”)—making the text a perennial favorite for courses on the presidency.
The authors richly illustrate their engaging analysis with timely, fascinating examples. They fully integrate the Trump presidency into every chapter, offering wide-ranging coverage. Moreover, they devote separate chapters to essential aspects of President Trump’s approach to governing such as on media relations, leading the public, and decision making. Equally important, they incorporate the most recent scholarship and their own unique approach to show how the Trump presidency illuminates our basic understanding of the presidency, making Presidential Leadership the perfect vehicle for understanding the president and his impact on the office.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, School, Textbooks

592 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1985

Reviews

[MBJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is no election in recent history where a book of this nature could be a more timely read. Partisanship, policy objectives, and personalities aside, effective presidential leadership perhaps above all requires an understanding of how government functions and what it takes to accomplish the policy goals of an incoming administration. No president can lead without understanding what makes Washington tick. And there is a huge learning curve.

The federal government is extraordinarily complex. We have heard much rhetoric in the 2016 election cycle about how and why Washington has failed the people. But let's face it. No president, no matter what his policy objectives, can run the federal government effectively without having an understanding about how to move the ball forward in Washington.

This book provides an overview of the uphill battle every president faces in trying to establish effective leadership in Washington. It is simply not possible to step into the office and "drain the swamp".

Despite my fascination with the subject matter of Presidential Leadership: Politics and Policy Making, I was a bit disappointed in this particular book as it lacked the depth I was seeking in exploring this fascinating topic. The book is, however, a good starting point. The list of suggested readings at the end of each chapter is impressive and can certainly serve as a guide for further more in-depth exploration of the subject matter.

Good luck to any president-elect who thinks the whole system can be turned topsy-turvy overnight. This book elucidates for the reader why such a lofty objective is unobtainable. On a more positive note, this book also helps the reader understand why a system too easily upended would probably not be a desirable or stable one.

[Dr. Phoenix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not much to say. A definitive work on presidential policy, and leadership including the various aspects of how the executive office is run and managed. Includes the rights and obligations of the presidential mandate. Outstanding title.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Textbook for my Political Science class.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who wants to bet I never finish this now that class is over? But it is well-written. We'll give it a couple of days ...

If only the class had lasted a couple more days, I would have finished this. Maybe some day.

[Chrystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad read as far as textbooks go.