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Description
This module investigates the genesis of the modern U.S. presidency, whose contemporary power contrasts markedly with the weak institution that the framers of the American Republic鈥攈ostile to monarchy鈥攊ntended to create. We begin by inquiring why, given that hostility, they created the Presidency at all, and how they sought to restrain its influence. Before 1900, the Constitution operated much as the framers had intended: most power in Washington was invested in Congress, rather than in the Presidency. After 1900, though, that all changed, and the bulk of this module is concerned with understanding why the presidency expanded so dramatically during the twentieth century, and some of the consequences of that growth. It focusses primarily on the domestic presidency, rather than on foreign policy. The module concludes by characterising the contemporary Presidency in relation to the historical patterns with which we have been concerned in previous weeks.
Module deliveries for 2024/25 academic year
Last updated
This module description was last updated on 8th April 2024.
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