America's Imperial Presidency: A Threat to Democracy

The presidency of the United States has undergone a profound transformation over the past century. Once a relatively weak office, the presidency has become increasingly powerful, with the ability to wage war, make law, and even overturn court decisions. This transformation has been dubbed the "imperial presidency," and it poses a grave threat to democracy.

The New Imperial Presidency: Renewing Presidential Power after Watergate (Contemporary Political And Social Issues)

by Andrew Rudalevige

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1526 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	376 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

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The imperial presidency is not a new phenomenon. Its roots can be traced back to the early days of the republic, when George Washington set a precedent for executive overreach by issuing a proclamation of neutrality that effectively committed the United States to a policy of non-intervention in the French Revolution. However, the imperial presidency truly came into its own during the 20th century, as presidents such as Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Roosevelt, and Lyndon Johnson expanded the powers of the office to unprecedented levels.

The imperial presidency has been justified on a variety of grounds, including the need for strong leadership in times of crisis, the need to protect national security, and the need to promote economic prosperity. However, the imperial presidency has also been used to justify a wide range of abuses of power, including the use of military force without congressional approval, the suspension of civil liberties, and the violation of international law.

The imperial presidency is a threat to democracy because it undermines the system of checks and balances that is essential to a free and open society. The Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war, to raise and support armies, and to impeach the president. However, the imperial presidency has allowed presidents to wage war, create new armies, and ignore congressional subpoenas with impunity.

The imperial presidency is also a threat to democracy because it erodes public trust in government. When presidents abuse their power, they undermine the legitimacy of the entire political system. This can lead to cynicism, apathy, and even violence.

The imperial presidency is a serious threat to democracy. It is a threat that must be addressed if we are to preserve our freedoms and our way of life.

What can be done to stop the imperial presidency?

There are a number of things that can be done to stop the imperial presidency. First, we need to strengthen the system of checks and balances. This means giving Congress more power to oversee the executive branch and to hold presidents accountable for their actions.

Second, we need to reform the way that presidents are elected. The current system, in which presidents are elected by a small number of swing voters in a handful of swing states, gives presidents too much power. We need to move to a system of national popular vote, in which the president is elected by the most votes overall.

Third, we need to educate the public about the dangers of the imperial presidency. We need to make people aware of the ways in which presidents have abused their power and the threats that the imperial presidency poses to democracy.

The imperial presidency is a serious threat to democracy, but it is not a threat that we cannot overcome. By working together, we can strengthen our system of checks and balances, reform the way that presidents are elected, and educate the public about the dangers of the imperial presidency. We can preserve our freedoms and our way of life.

The New Imperial Presidency: Renewing Presidential Power after Watergate (Contemporary Political And Social Issues)

by Andrew Rudalevige

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1526 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	376 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE