Ch 1. American Political History One of the recurring political traditions in America “Americans want powerful leadership, yet they distrust authority and the abuse of power.” “Evolving” expectations of the American presidency and government the impacts of war and trade on presidential power What about the framers’ view and constitutional approaches?

The Articles of Confederation (1781-1788) The Continental Congress and the Articles of Confederation  Limited power of the central government & Powerful state legislatures = “A firm league of friendship” States could print own money  fiscal chaos States could set own tariff rates  commercial chaos Equal representation by state legislatures Heavy emphasis on states rights and required a super-majority of 9 out of 13 to get anything done

The Articles of Confederation (1781-1788) Congress could declare war, but had to ask states for soldiers No power to regulate commerce or raise taxes; had to ask states for voluntary donations No executive and judicial institutions to implement and execute the laws

Problems with the Articles Problems began immediately Shays’ Rebellion (1786-1787) and threats from England and Spain Daniel Shays = a former captain in the Continental Army and a bankrupt farmer in Western Massachusetts Couldn’t pay taxes and mortgages, tried to get courts to forget them Took months to end the rebellion and showed the weakness of the states and central government Crisis of governance  the Constitutional Convention

Constitutional Convention (1787) lasted for four months in Philadelphia desire to strengthen the national government while preventing a tyranny of majority “separation of powers” and “federalism” Connecticut Compromise: House (for large states: Virginia Plan) Senate (for small states: New Jersey Plan)

The Framers’ Expectations The Founding Era fear of tyranny on the one hand & anarchy on the other hand Shays’ Rebellion (1786-1787) The Constitutional Convention in the State House in Philadelphia Solutions to prevent tyranny = system of checks and balances, separation of powers within and across levels of government (the “Madisonian Democracy”) Indirect elections (senate and president) and varying terms Senators chosen by popular votes only after the 17th Amendment in 1913 Power derived from the Constitution

Achieving Balance I A two-year term for the House a compromise between the annual elections advocated by many delegates and the three-year term proposed by James Madison  A short tenure would keep this chamber close to the people A longer-term and “staggered elections” for the Senate The Senate insulated from momentary shifts in the public mood by virtue of a longer term, in addition to their selection by state legislatures www.senate.gov Another compromise on bills raising revenue

Achieving Balance II “Advice and consent power” by the U.S. Senate To a degree, the Framers envisioned the Senate acting as an advisory council to the president. Framers’ belief that the more “aristocratic” and insulated of the two houses would keep a steadier eye on the country’s long-term interests. "Why did you pour that coffee into your saucer?" asked Washington. "To cool it," said Jefferson. "Even so," responded Washington, "we pour legislation into the senatorial saucer to cool it.“ Now, also polarized politics in the Senate!

Achieving Balance III Finally, the president was used as a means to further the balance of power by giving the executive branch the authority to: Recommend (not introduce) new laws (Ex: Obama’s American Jobs Bill) Call Congress into special session Most importantly, the power to veto laws passed by Congress, killing them unless two-thirds of each chamber votes to override the veto “veto threat” vs. “veto”: what’s more effective?

Understanding American History through the American Presidency Traditional presidency Passive presidents Congressional dominance Party dominance President didn’t travel Restrained relationship to public Small government No staff US not world power Modern presidency (since FDR) Active presidents Dominance over Congress Weak party President travels a lot Strong claim to relationship with public Large government Large White House Staff US a world power

Understanding American History through the Presidency and “Critical Elections” Federalist: 1789-1800 (Washington) Jeffersonian-Republicanism: 1800-1828 (Jefferson) Jacksonian Democracy: 1828-1860 (Jackson) Republican Nationalism: 1860-1896 (Lincoln) The System of 1896: 1896-1932 (Republican dominance) New Deal Liberalism: 1932-1980 (FDR) Reagan Revolution: 1980-now? (Reagan) Critical elections (V. O. Key) 1800, 1828, 1860, 1896, 1932, 1980, etc.

“Political Time” Presidency I (Skowronek) Stephen Skowronek’s theory “American Political Development” approach (American politics meets history) putting the presidency in historical context, not just pre- modern/modern dichotomy The notion of periodization or political cycle repudiation of psychological approach Personality has not much bearings on who makes a good president, contrary to conventional wisdom. Instead, “political time” matters for presidential success or failure.

“Political Time” Presidency II (Skowronek) Stephen Skowronek’s focus on president’s relationship to 1) the nation’s dominant political regime and 2) the resources available to the presidency at that point in American history Politics presidents make (cyclical pattern)  Politics of Reconstruction  Articulation  Preemption  Disjunction  then, reconstruction again

“Political Time” Presidency (Stephen Skowronek)

A dominant ideological regime and each president’s association with it President’s own political identity (resources) Opposed Affiliated Regime strength Vulnerable Resilient 1. Politics of Reconstruction (Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln, FDR, Reagan) 4. Politics of Disjunction (John Quincy Adams, Buchanan, Hoover, Carter) 3. Politics of Preemption (Andrew Johnson, Wilson, Nixon, Clinton) 2. Politics of Articulation (Monroe, Polk, TR, LBJ)