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Debating the Obama Presidency

Edited by Steven E. Schier

This is the first book to present both the arguments for and against Barack Obama’s presidency and its policies. In it, prominent political scientists and Washington think tank scholars address Obama’s domestic, economic and foreign policies and his political legacy. Contrasting perspectives assess the consequences of the large aspirations of the Obama presidency and the political and policy challenges Obama encountered in the pursuit of those aspirations. Barack Obama’s project in the White House involved installing lasting changes in national policy and politics. Institutionally, the Obama administration sought to preserve control of Congress through maintenance of reliable partisan Democratic majorities, and enhance influence over the federal courts through a steady stream of liberal judicial appointees. The administration sought increased autonomy over the executive branch by a reorganizations spawned by a national economic crisis and an ambitious domestic policy agenda. Politically, the Obama administration sought the entrenchment of consistent Democratic electoral majorities. Such large ambitions have generated enduring controversies surrounding his presidency, controversies that receive a full airing and debate in this volume.

Contributions by Alan I. Abramowitz, Emory University; Andrew E. Busch, Claremont McKenna College; Peter Juul, Center for American Progress; Lawrence Korb, Center for American Progress; William G. Mayer, Northeastern University; Ruth O’Brien, City University of New York Graduate Center; John J. Pitney Jr.. Claremont McKenna College; Danielle Pletka, American Enterprise Institute; Daniel E. Ponder, Drury University; Steven E. Schier, Carleton College; Raymond Tatalovich, Loyola University Chicago; and John Kenneth White, Catholic University of America.

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 286 • Trim: 6⅜ x 9⅜

978-1-4422-6124-2 • Hardback • September 2016 • $123.00 • (£95.00)

978-1-4422-6151-8 • Paperback • September 2016 • $50.00 • (£38.00)

978-1-4422-6125-9 • eBook • September 2016 • $47.50 • (£37.00)

Subjects: Political Science / American Government / Executive Branch

Debating the Obama Presidency

Hardback

Paperback

eBook

Summary

This is the first book to present both the arguments for and against Barack Obama’s presidency and its policies. In it, prominent political scientists and Washington think tank scholars address Obama’s domestic, economic and foreign policies and his political legacy. Contrasting perspectives assess the consequences of the large aspirations of the Obama presidency and the political and policy challenges Obama encountered in the pursuit of those aspirations. Barack Obama’s project in the White House involved installing lasting changes in national policy and politics. Institutionally, the Obama administration sought to preserve control of Congress through maintenance of reliable partisan Democratic majorities, and enhance influence over the federal courts through a steady stream of liberal judicial appointees. The administration sought increased autonomy over the executive branch by a reorganizations spawned by a national economic crisis and an ambitious domestic policy agenda. Politically, the Obama administration sought the entrenchment of consistent Democratic electoral majorities. Such large ambitions have generated enduring controversies surrounding his presidency, controversies that receive a full airing and debate in this volume.

Contributions by Alan I. Abramowitz, Emory University; Andrew E. Busch, Claremont McKenna College; Peter Juul, Center for American Progress; Lawrence Korb, Center for American Progress; William G. Mayer, Northeastern University; Ruth O’Brien, City University of New York Graduate Center; John J. Pitney Jr.. Claremont McKenna College; Danielle Pletka, American Enterprise Institute; Daniel E. Ponder, Drury University; Steven E. Schier, Carleton College; Raymond Tatalovich, Loyola University Chicago; and John Kenneth White, Catholic University of America.

Details

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 286 • Trim: 6⅜ x 9⅜

978-1-4422-6124-2 • Hardback • September 2016 • $123.00 • (£95.00)

978-1-4422-6151-8 • Paperback • September 2016 • $50.00 • (£38.00)

978-1-4422-6125-9 • eBook • September 2016 • $47.50 • (£37.00)

Subjects: Political Science / American Government / Executive Branch

Author

Steven E. Schier is Dorothy H. and Edward C. Congdon Professor of Political Science at Carleton College.

Table of Contents

Introduction: A Controversial Presidency
Steven E. Schier

1 Sound Work in a Tough Environment: Obama’s Governing Achievements
John Kenneth White

2 Obama and Washington: Fallen Hopes and Frustrated Change
John J. Pitney Jr.

3 Barack Obama’s Electoral Legacy: In a Polarized Era, Democrats Poised for Success in 2016 and Beyond
Alan I. Abramowitz

4 With Enemies Like This, Who Needs Friends?: How Barack Obama Revived the Republican Party
William G. Mayer

5 Obama’s Foreign Policy: Securing America’s Position, Avoiding Costly Errors
Lawrence Korb and Peter Juul

6 America in Decline
Danielle Pletka

7 Progress and Good Governance in Domestic Policy
Ruth O’Brien

8 The Limits of Governmental Accomplishment: Obama’s Domestic Policies
Andrew E. Busch

9 Back from the Brink: Obama’s Economic Record
Daniel E. Ponderl

10 Economic Stagnation in the Obama Presidency
Raymond Tatalovich

Index
About the Contributors

Reviews

In Debating the Obama Presidency, Steve Schier has assembled a stellar cast of American politics scholars who have written provocative and insightful essays spanning the major topics of the Obama presidency, from electoral politics to foreign policy. Whether your politics are right, left, or center, each essay in this well balanced collection will capture your interest.

— James E. Campbell, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, author, Polarized: Making Sense of a Divided America

Features

- Debate format will spark classroom discussion and encourage students to make up their own mind about the Obama legacy.
- In covering all aspects of Obama’s policies, from foreign affairs to healthcare to immigration, the book is ideal for courses on the Presidency.
- Contributors include prominent journalists, think tank scholars, and political scientists

Debating the Obama Presidency

Edited by Steven E. Schier

Debating the Obama Presidency

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