Triumphs and Tragedies of the Modern Presidency: Case Studies in Presidential Leadership, 2nd Edition

Applying the lessons of presidential history, this anthology of case studies--written by leading political scientists, historians, and subject matter experts--delves into the many facets of the presidency and promotes a greater understanding of the presidency for policymakers, academics, students, and general readers alike.

Abraham Lincoln once said, ＂Fellow citizens, we cannot escape history.＂ One hundred and fifty years later, this statement remains true: the lessons of history are increasingly important at a time of political deadlock and growing skepticism of leadership among the American public. An established classic in its field, Triumphs and Tragedies of the Modern Presidency underscores the importance of looking back to set an intelligent course for the future and promotes a better understanding of the U.S. presidency. This updated and revised second edition offers rare insights on presidential leadership since 2001 and adds considerable new information related to inter-term transitions.

The case studies in this single-volume work cover an unparalleled scope of ＂modern presidential history＂ and related topics, beginning with the presidency of Franklin Roosevelt and continuing to the presidency of Barack Obama. Examples of the events and subject matter of the case studies include the interstate transport system, the building of the social safety net, the civil rights movement, the space program, environmental protection, education reform, the IT revolution, energy policy, the budget, economic policy, foreign policy, national security, defense policy, and presidential scandals. Each case study highlights a historical lesson and is authored by a different political scientist, historian, or subject matter expert, offering readers a multidisciplinary examination of the presidency.

Maxmillian Angerholzer III serves as president and CEO of the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress (CSPC). He is also a senior adviser and the corporate secretary of the Richard Lounsbery Foundation in Washington, DC.

James Kitfield has written on defense, national security, and foreign policy issues for more than two decades. Currently a contributing editor at National Journal, he is a three-time winner of the Gerald R. Ford Award for Distinguished Reporting on National Defense and a five-time winner of the Military Reporters and Editors Association and Medill School of Journalism’s top prize for excellence in reporting.

Norman Ornstein is a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and a contributing editor and columnist for National Journal and The Atlantic. Named as one of 2012’s Top 100 Global Thinkers by Foreign Policy magazine, Ornstein led a working group that helped shape the campaign finance reform law known as McCain-Feingold.

Stephen Skowronek, PhD, is Pelatiah Perit Professor of Political and Social Science at Yale University. He has been a fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and has held the chair in American civilization at the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales in Paris.