The Power of Presidential Ideologies

(Hardback)

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This study examines how presidents shape the way people think about political issues and explores the limits that political ideology places on presidential action. Tracing the interplay between political philosophy, policymaking and party politics, from Franklin Roosevelt to George Bush, the work looks beyond the typical focus on personality and political tactics to the underlying ideological significance of presidential philosophies and actions. It develops new concepts that lend historical and comparative perspective to current debates about the role of government in American society, and it presents a new way of seeing and interpreting the presidency. The author suggests that presidential ideologies matter - but not in the way they seem to matter. He points out that ideologies both illuminate and obscure political realities. While presidential ideologies have had huge impacts on the way both ordinary citizens and policymakers understand the political world, they have also served to mystify the forces that drive decisionmaking, sometimes masking the real face of political power.

Reviews

Nevertheless, The Power of Presidential Ideologies could profitably be read for its prose outline of some important shifts in presidential policy and rhetoric over the course of the modern presidency.-Military Review
"Nevertheless, The Power of Presidential Ideologies could profitably be read for its prose outline of some important shifts in presidential policy and rhetoric over the course of the modern presidency."-Military Review

Author Bio

DENNIS FLORIG holds degrees in political science from American University, the University of Maryland, and Stanford University. Presently he is associated with International Education, Research, and Analysis Corporation (INTERAC) in Tokyo.