Debating the Presidency: Conflicting Perspectives on the American Executive - Softcover

“This text is a great supplement to the main text I assign. The brief introduction in each chapter nicely frames the issue and the format of the text exposes students to both sides of the debate. My students have responded very positively to the text, particularly because the essays are relatively short and written appropriately for undergraduate students.”

(Andrew H. Sidman)

“This is one of my favorite books to use as a teaching tool—students respond well to the challenge to think critically about both sides of important arguments about the presidency. The chapter introductions are tremendously valuable and quite well done.”

(Brendan Doherty)

Each essay—written in the form of a debate resolution— offers a compelling yet concise view on the American executive. In the 5 pro/con pairs that are new to this edition, contributors debate the presidential power to persuade, whether Congress should have to vote up or down on legislation proposed by the president, if the unitary executive is a myth, if presidents have the authority to appoint "czars" without Congressional consent, and if the people should have the power to recall an unethical, corrupt, or ineffectual president. Ellis and Nelson introduce each pair of essays, giving students context and preparing them to read each argument critically, so they can decide for themselves which side of the debate they find most persuasive.