The Obama Presidency

Promise and Performance

Edited by William Crotty - Contributions by John C. Berg; R. Lawrence Butler; Bruce E. Caswell; William Crotty; Maureen F. Moakley; James A. Morone; Shayla C. Nunnally; Arthur C. Paulson and Lawrence C. Reardon

In this illuminating examination of the Obama presidency, the contributors describe the policy directions followed, and the administration’s level of success in achieving its objectives. Throughout the Obama administration, efforts were intended to alleviate the worst of the economic stress facing the nation, move the president closer to the center of the American political spectrum, and prepare for the upcoming reelection campaign, to be fought primarily on the same issues as the earlier one. The contributors present an analysis of the motivations and political thinking underlying the administration’s action along with assessments of the policy consequences of the issue agenda favored and the public’s reaction. The Obama Presidency is an in-depth account of one of the most intriguing and important presidencies at a time of economic crisis that goes a long way in explaining the policy decisions made and their political consequences, as well as the choices facing a nation in transition.

Lexington Books

Pages: 242 • Trim: 6½ x 9½

978-0-7391-7234-6 • Hardback • May 2012 • $128.00 • (£98.00)

978-0-7391-9069-2 • Paperback • December 2013 • $57.99 • (£45.00)

978-0-7391-7235-3 • eBook • May 2012 • $55.00 • (£42.00)

Subjects: Political Science / Political Process / General, Political Science / American Government / Executive Branch

The Obama Presidency

Promise and Performance

Hardback

Paperback

eBook

Summary

In this illuminating examination of the Obama presidency, the contributors describe the policy directions followed, and the administration’s level of success in achieving its objectives. Throughout the Obama administration, efforts were intended to alleviate the worst of the economic stress facing the nation, move the president closer to the center of the American political spectrum, and prepare for the upcoming reelection campaign, to be fought primarily on the same issues as the earlier one. The contributors present an analysis of the motivations and political thinking underlying the administration’s action along with assessments of the policy consequences of the issue agenda favored and the public’s reaction. The Obama Presidency is an in-depth account of one of the most intriguing and important presidencies at a time of economic crisis that goes a long way in explaining the policy decisions made and their political consequences, as well as the choices facing a nation in transition.

Details

Lexington Books

Pages: 242 • Trim: 6½ x 9½

978-0-7391-7234-6 • Hardback • May 2012 • $128.00 • (£98.00)

978-0-7391-9069-2 • Paperback • December 2013 • $57.99 • (£45.00)

978-0-7391-7235-3 • eBook • May 2012 • $55.00 • (£42.00)

Subjects: Political Science / Political Process / General, Political Science / American Government / Executive Branch

Author

William Crotty is professor of political science at Northeastern University.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Representation and Counter-Representation in the Obama Presidency by William Crotty
Chapter 2: Obama By The Numbers: A Comparison With Pre-vious Presidencies by Bruce E. Caswell
Chapter 3: Obama’s Health Reform: The Managerial President and the Political Storm by James A. Morone
Chapter 4: Environmental Policy: The Success and Failure of the Obama Presidency by John C. Berg
Chapter 5: Shifting Global Paradigms and Obama’s Adaptive Foreign Policy by Lawrence C. Reardon
Chapter 6: African-American Perspectives of the Obama Presidency by Shayla C. Nunnally
Chapter 7: Minority Party Strategies and Political Successes in Opposition to the Obama Policy Agenda by R. Lawrence Butler
Chapter 8: Coalitional Divisions and Realignment Dynamics in the Obama Era by Arthur C. Paulson
Chapter 9: Recalibrating the Obama Presidency: The Off-Year Elections and Their Consequence by Maureen F. Moakley
Chapter 10: Principles and Pragmatism in the Obama Presidency by William Crotty

Reviews

When William Crotty and his colleagues tackle a topic, we have learned to expect something special. This book is no exception. Crotty and his contributors revisit the tumultuous journey Barack Obama has been on since the heady days of his 2008 triumph. This book tells us not only what happened, but why Obama's presidency has been buffeted by a unified opposition party, economic dislocations at home and abroad, and a world in transition. A must-read.
— John Kenneth White, Catholic University of America

This volume throws real and important light on the nature of the Obama presidency; not only social scientists but citizens will find it valuable and instructive.
— Thomas Ferguson, professor emeritus, University of Massachusetts, Boston

This is a comprehensive assessment of the Obama presidency. Students and scholars will find this collection of essays enormously helpful as we grapple with the policies and politics of this era in American political life.
— Peter Ubertaccio, Stonehill College