Making the Managerial Presidency: Comprehensive Reorganization Planning, 1905-1996 / Edition 2

by Peri E. Arnold

Overview

In 1987 the National Academy of Public Administration bestowed upon Peri Arnold the prestigious Louis Brownlow Award for Making the Managerial Presidency. Since then, his book has acquired the status of a classic in the fields of both public administration and the presidency. With the publication of this revised and expanded edition, Arnold now provides a comprehensive history of presidential reorganization planning for the entire twentieth-century—from Theodore Roosevelt through Bill Clinton.

Frequently cited by scholars, the first edition drew praise from many quarters. The Political Science Quarterly called it “definitive.” The American Political Science Review declared it “required reading . . . for students of American politics.” And Alonzo Hamby, writing in the American Historical Review, praised it as “a substantial contribution to the history of the American presidency.”

While the previous edition essentially stopped at the Carter administration, the new edition includes a broad treatment of administrative reform initiatives since 1981, including Ronald Reagan’s Grace Commission and Bill Clinton’s National Performance Review. Arnold shows how the search for administrative efficiency during the past two decades further underscores the century-long efforts of presidents to consolidate and expand their roles and powers within American government.

Arnold’s incisive and insightful study of the National Performance Review is especially timely and instructive. Reflecting and extending the recent literature on “the isolated presidency,” his critique of Clinton’s reorganization efforts reveals the president’s increasing reliance on rhetorical and campaign-like strategies as a means to sustain popular support and expand his administrative power.

Most important, the new edition is available (for the first time) in paperback, thus making it ideal for use in courses on the presidency, American government, and public administration.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780700608942
Publisher:	University Press of Kansas
Publication date:	04/29/1998
Series:	Studies in Government and Public Policy
Edition description:	2ND, REVISED
Pages:	464
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Peri E. Arnold, former chair of the political science department, is professor of government and director of the Hesburgh Program for Public Service at Notre Dame University.

Table of Contents

Preface to the Second Edition

Preface

1. Administration, Reorganization, and the American Regime

2. Executive Reorganization and the Beginnings of the Managerial

Presidency, 1905-1913

3. Reorganizing for Normalcy

4. Managing the New Deal

5. The First Hoover Commission and the Managerial Presidency

6. Reorganization at the Crossroads I

7. Reorganization at the Crossroads II

8. A New Organization for the Great Society

9. Power and Virtue I

10. Power and Virtue II

11. Accounting for Comprehensive Reorganization Planning

12. Reform's Changing Purpose: President Clinton and the Reinvention of Government

Index

Editorial Reviews

"This important book merits a wide audience."—American Political Science Review

"The definitive analytical history of comprehensive reorganization planning of the national executive branch."—Political Science Quarterly

"An ambitious book that examines the presidency’s attempts to fulfill the managerial demands created by the emergence of the modern administrative state. A substantial contribution."—American Historical Review

"Students of American politics will find Arnold’s perceptive account of the quest for ‘a managerially effective presidency’ required reading."—Canadian Review of American Studies

"A ‘must’ for those interested in the presidency. This book is virtually definitive on its topic."—History

"The managerial presidency, Arnold concludes, can become ‘a trap, offering increased capacity . . . but creating even greater expectations about presidential performance.’ A persuasive and cogent conclusion to this excellent study."—American Historical Review

"An important presentation of historical evidence, intelligently set forth. A genuine contribution to the literatures on the presidency, the executive branch, and the history of American political institutions."—Fred Greenstein, author of The Hidden Hand Presidency

From the Publisher

A must for those interested in the presidency. This book is virtually definitive on its topic.

History

An ambitious book that examines the presidency's attempts to fulfill the managerial demands created by the emergence of the modern administrative state. A substantial contribution.

American Historical Review

The definitive analytical history of comprehensive reorganization planning of the national executive branch.

Political Science Quarterly

This important book merits a wide audience.

American Political Science Review

Students of American politics will find Arnold's perceptive account of the quest for 'a managerially effective presidency' required reading.

Canadian Review of American Studie

Students of American politics will find Arnold's perceptive account of the quest for 'a managerially effective presidency' required reading.

Canadian Review of American Studies

Examines the political history of administrative reform undertaken by 20th-century presidents. Attempting to explain the growth of modern bureaucracy within an 18th-century framework and the expansion of presidential control over administrative powers, the author explores the relationship between administrative theory and the dilemmas posed for a developing administrative state by the separation of powers. He also looks at and compares successive cases of presidentially initiated comprehensive reform planning, in order to understand the implications for the president's institutional role. Paper edition (unseen), $25.00. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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