Once the exclusive daydream of political theorists and legal wonks, the concept of a “Unitary Executive” is horrifyingly relevant to all of us today. We have two books for you on what may be one of the defining issues of our time. The first is considered a classic on the subject but only covers the presidency through Bush. The second covers much of the same ground but then continues through Trump’s first impeachment. We don’t have a recommendation that covers the time since then… yet.
“The Imperial Presidency” by Arthur Schlessinger
from Springer.com– “The Imperial Presidency is widely recognized as one of the most important and influential books written on the American presidency. First published in 1973, it explained Watergate’s significance even before Richard Nixon had left office. In his best-selling work, eminent historian Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr. (1917–2007) characterized the “third-rate burglary” of Democratic National Committee (DNC) offices as a peripheral element within a revolutionary project to undermine America’s constitutional democracy. In Schlesinger’s assessment, the main significance of the botched break-in was to highlight the threat of the imperial presidency. Regardless of Nixon’s fate, Schlesinger warned that this “imperial” entity would continue to endanger America’s constitutional system because the structural factors that underpinned its development remained in place. George W. Bush’s extensive assertions of presidential authority, which some analysts characterized as a “new imperial presidency,” appeared to fulfill this prediction. Yet, the matter of causation remains open…”
“The Unitary Executive Theory” by Michael Sollenberger
from the publisher- “In their account of the rise of unitary executive theory over the last several decades, the authors refute the notion that this overweening view of executive power has been a common feature of the presidency from the beginning of the Republic. Rather, they show, it was invented under the Reagan Administration, got a boost during the George W. Bush administration, and has found its logical extension in the Trump administration. This critique of the unitary executive theory reveals it as a misguided model for understanding presidential powers. While its adherents argue that greater presidential power makes government more efficient, the results have shown otherwise. Dismantling the myth that presidents enjoy unchecked plenary powers, the authors advocate for principles of separation of powers – of checks and balances – that honor the Constitution and support the republican government its framers envisioned. A much-needed primer on presidential power, from the nation’s founding through Donald Trump’s impeachment, The Unitary Executive Theory: A Danger to Constitutional Government makes a robust and persuasive case for a return to our constitutional limits.”
The BOOK SPOTLIGHT at Wallace Books- We always link our Book Spotlight to Powells.com so you can order the book if you’re interested, but it’s also available at Sellwood’s Wallace Books in the “Tom Dwyer Book Spotlight”. Check it out!
