Testing the Limits: George W. Bush and the Imperial Presidency

by Ryan Barilleaux (Contribution by), John P. Burke (Contribution by), Andrew E. Busch (Contribution by), Louis Fisher (Contribution by), Dale R. Herspring (Contribution by)

Overview

This collaboration of distinguished presidential scholars offers one of the first book-length post-presidency analyses of President George W. Bush and his policies. Mark J. Rozell and Gleaves Whitney have assembled a varied list of contributors from both ends of the political spectrum, bringing together academics and professionals to provide a glimpse into the politics and policies that defined President George W. Bush's presidency.

Testing the Limits discusses all aspects of the Bush policy and administration, from staff appointments to foreign and domestic policy to budgetary politics. Several contributors focus their energy on the expansion of presidential powers during Bush presidency, assessing the increased influence of the Vice-President, the politicization of federal court appointments, and the development of executive privilege and presidential secrecy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442200395
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	10/16/2009
Pages:	280
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Mark J. Rozell is professor of public policy at George Mason University. He is widely published and his most recent works include: The New Politics of the Old South: An Introduction to Southern Politics, 4th edition (co-editor, R&L, 2009), Media Power, Media Politics, 2nd edition (co-editor, R&L, 2008), Catholics and Politics: The Dynamic Tension Between Faith and Power (co-author, Georgetown UP, 2008), Power and Prudence: The Presidency of George H.W. Bush (co-author, Texas A&M UP, 2004).

Gleaves Whitney is director of Grand Valley State University's Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies, a position he has held since 2003. During his tenure he has been the architect of more than 100 programs, including two national conferences covered by C-SPAN and two live Webcasts to more than 3,500 viewers in 18 countries. He established the Hauenstein Center's Website (www.allpresidents.org) and premiered a popular Web column called 'Ask Gleaves'—the first presidential Q&A column in the nation.

Table of Contents

2 Table of Contents 3 Acknowledgments Chapter 4 Introduction Part 5 I. Analyzing the Bush Presidency Chapter 6 1. The Evolution of the George W. Bush Presidency Chapter 7 2. The Bush Staff and Cabinet System Chapter 8 3. George W. Bush's Domestic Policy Agenda Chapter 9 4. How George W. Bush Remade Foreign Policy Agenda Chapter 10 5. The Deficit Redux: Budget Politics during the Bush Administration Chapter 11 6. The Anatomy of a Divorce: Conservatives versus George W. Bush Part 12 II. Presidential Powers and the Bush Presidency Chapter 13 7. War Powers and the Bush Administration Chapter 14 8. Bush and the War Power: A Critique from the Outside Chapter 15 9. Bush as Commander in Chief Chapter 16 10. Executive Privilege: The Bush Record and Legacy Chapter 17 11. Bush's Greatest Legacy? The Federal Courts and the Republican Regime Chapter 18 12. George W. Bush and the Imperial Presidency 19 Index 20 About the Authors

Editorial Reviews

A timely and provocative set of essays on a subject of both immediate and enduring significance. Taken together, the essays provide a remarkably comprehensive and carefully balanced examination of the historically important presidency of George W. Bush.

David Marion

A fascinating account of a controversial presidency. George W. Bush entered office in the distrustful aftermath of a disputed election, and he left office amid the uncertainty of two unfinished wars and an incipient depression; but in between he managed to accomplish more—for better and worse—than almost anyone had thought possible. Mark Rozell, Gleaves Whitney, and the scholars they have enlisted explain how this happened, and what it still means. Required reading for any serious student of the modern presidency.

H W. Brands