Overview
American Presidency and leadership has been viewed in varying perspectives depending on the power, obligations, and responsibilities associated with the position of presidency as well as the discrete use of the position`s powers by the persons holding office (Gutman 73). Pika and Maltese have reviewed the American Presidency in the lens of service to the community and the use of the position to create a power centered in the society`s needs that represent the White House as the symbolic and centre of representation of the American`s civilization, democracy and leadership. On the other hand, Schlesinger’s theory of Imperial President reviews the powers vested in the Presidency position as a tool that can create a dominant White House forcing the citizens to be subjects to the White House rather than the White House representing the Americans (Genovese, Michael, & William 219). The paper will review the discussion about the executive politics by Pika and Maltese in relation to the Schlesinger’s theory of Imperial President and the use of executive power to create a dominant White House. The author will investigate whether Pika and Maltese agree to the use of the executive politics to create a dominant white house or cite potential obstacles to the type of presidential power described by Schlesinger. The author postulates that Pika and Maltese views that certain conduct by the people holding presidential positions can lead to the development of a dominant White House although several obstacles may prevent the development.
The theory advocated by Schlesinger was developed following the demise of Richard Nixon. Schlesinger observed the American executive politics and the conduct of the leaders and the influence of the White House on the citizens. According to the theory, the powers attributed to the seat of the president can be used to create a powerful white house where the values and the demands of the person acting as the president are given first priority against the general belief that the position is to represent the interest s of the Americans. According to Schlesinger, the creation of an Imperial president is much possible when the president elect employs his influence down the executive and public administration so that the entire leadership works towards attainment of his desires or desired changes within the nation (Schlesinger 232). A good example for the case could be President Reagan that came to presidency with the strongest desire to change the domestic policies within the United States (Genovese, Michael, and William 111). The president employed his influence to gather support for the desired domestic policy changes that were said to have been supported by the majority even when their effectiveness was not for the benefit of the largest of the Americans.
Pika and Maltese observes that the person acting as the president is elected to represent the citizens will and interest both at the domestic and international arena. The roles, conduct, and responsibilities of the president are provided for by the Constitution and the president elect has the mandate to adhere to the constitutional directives at all times. In the light of that, creation of an imperial president and a powerful white house is faced with critical challenges since the president wishing to do so is limited by the constitutional regulations (Grubb 7). To act otherwise, the president would be forced to make constitutional amendments that require the support of three quarters of the senate. In some domestic and public policies, a referendum may be required where votes of the public would determine the position and the action to be taken by the president (Schlesinger 218).
On the other hand, the president may employ the influence associated with the power of the position to gather support that would advance his endeavors leading to the creation of an imperial president and a dominant white house. The scenario is much practical when the leader has the majority of the Senate and the public in his support. In that manner, the president may employ his influence to develop domestic and international policies that would create a dominant white house led by the key political supporters of the president (Keyla 13). The motive and the ambitions of the leader may be aimed to benefit the largest of the population, personal, or to against his personal political personalities sharing a different leadership ideologies. According to discussions by Pika and Maltese, the kind of leadership can be inferred from the presidential service offered by President Lyndon B Johnson that held the presidential office between 1963 and 1969 (Genovese, Michael, and William 71).
Conclusion
Pika and Maltese discussions about the terms of service of the American presidency seems to align to the Schlesinger`s theory of establishment of an imperial president and creation of a dominant white house. Their discussions highlight the possibilities of the person acting as the president to employ the influence associated with the position to gain support for postulated domestic and international policies. The policies could be aimed to benefit the majority of the Americans or as a tool against the politicians that share a different leadership philosophy with the sitting president. However, the creation of an imperial president and a dominant white house is faced with critical challenges since the powers, duties, obligations, and the conduct of the president are laid in the constitution. To act contrary to the constitution, the president would require making changes to the constitution that would require support from the senate and public through referendums that would mean the desired actions are from the public and the nation rather than from the president.
Works Cited
Genovese, Michael A, Todd L Belt, and William W Lammers. The Presidency And Domestic
Policy. Boulder, Colorado: Paradigm Publishers, 2014. Print.
Grubb, F. “The US Constitution and monetary powers: an analysis of the 1787
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Gutman, A. “The lure & dangers of extremist rhetoric. Daedalus, 2006, 136 (4), pp. 70- 78.
Keyla, J. A. “Presidential power and the law: what are the limitations of the president of the United States of America? a focus on Lyndon B. Johnson and George W. Bush in time of war. The American Governance, 2011, 3(5), 11-15.
Schlesinger, Arthur M. The Imperial Presidency. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1973. Print
