1st Edition
The Policy Partnership Presidential Elections and American Democracy
By Bruce Buchanan
Copyright 2004
154 Pages
1 B/W Illustrations
by
Routledge
152 Pages
1 B/W Illustrations
by
Routledge
154 Pages
1 B/W Illustrations
by
Routledge
Also available as eBook on:
The presidency was neither designed nor expected to act in concert with the American people; the Framers intended Congress to represent the popular will. Thanks in part to public outrage at Congressional abuses of power, Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson led mass movements that forced major changes in the presidency, electoral politics, and national policy. Contemporary presidents are elected... Read more
Preface: Democracy and Policy 1. A Typology of Voter Influence 2. Direct Influence: The Voter Driven Cases 3. Anticipatory Influence: The Leader Bargain Cases 4. Legitimizing Influence: The Claimed Consent Cases 5. Policy Partnerships What Would It Take? 6. The Future of Public Influence: Revising Health Care References
Biography
Bruce Buchanan is Professor of Government at the University of Texas, Austin. He has published extensively on presidential and national politics, and is the editor of The State of the Presidency (2002). He is also the author of Presidential Campaign Quality (2004).
"A powerful and important work that links democratic theory to political practice, electoral behavior, the popular will, and presidential leadership. Buchanan pulls together a variety of political strands to demonstrate when and how the public influence politics in America. This book greatly enhances our understanding of democratic theory in our complex political system.
." -- Michael A. Genovese, Chair of Leadership Studies, Loyola Marymount University
"Professor Buchanan's study of the influence of voters' opinions on the policies presidents follow after entering the White House is meticulous, informative, and enlightening. His proposal for increasing that influence is thoughtfully conceived and worthy of serious consideration." -- Paul F. Boller, Jr., Emeritus Professor, Dept. of History, Texas Christian University and the author of Presidential Campaigns
"This is a visionary look at the national conversation between presidents and citizens. Buchanan provides a reasoned and convincing argument for strengthening the will of the people in selecting and guiding the nation's most important public representative: the president.
." -- Lance Bennett, Professor of Political Science and Ruddick C. Lawrence Professor of Communication, University of Washington
