The Presidency and Domestic Policy

This book systematically examines the first terms of every president from FDR to Joe Biden and assesses the leadership style and policy agenda of each. Success in bringing about policy change is shown to hinge on the leadership style and skill in managing a variety of institutional and public relationships. Presidents are evaluated based on the level of opportunity they faced. The third edition of this timely book adds a chapter on Donald Trump and Joe Biden and focuses on the significant domestic policy challenges of their respective times. For students of presidential history, leadership, and public policy, The Presidency and Domestic Policy provides unique insights into contemporary presidential leadership in a highly partisan age.

New to the Third Edition

A new chapter on the Trump presidency, showing its policy similarities as well as differences from earlier administrations.

A reassessment of the domestic policy legacies of Bill Clinton (especially in regard to crime and the financial services industries).

A sharper focus on racial politics resulting from both the Clinton and Obama eras.

An exploration of administrative approaches to governing domestically and unilateral decision making—normally reserved for the foreign policy arena but now applied on the domestic side as well (e.g., executive orders).

The increasing linkage between domestic and foreign policy issue arenas, particularly in the areas of immigration, trade, and environmental policy.

An assessment of judicial politics in the framework of the four leadership dimensions presidents bring to office, and also in terms of the impact on domestic policy outputs.