Presidential Leadership in a Fractured State: Capacity, Autonomy, and the American State

Author: Ponder, Daniel

Source: International Journal of Public Administration, Volume 28, Numbers 5-6, Number 5-6/2005 , pp. 531-546(16)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

This paper sets out a conceptual framework for studying the conditions under which presidential leadership in the United States can be thought of as autonomous. Unlike others, who view executive institutions as reflections of conflicts between dominant societal forces, I examine the case of the American presidency and focus on organizational–institutional considerations. Specifically, I focus on the process of institutionalization as a means of building capacity, which I argue, in contrast to others, is a necessary condition for autonomy. Additionally, Iargue that work on the presidency, and the American state in general, suffers from a level of analysis problem, which obscures opportunities for identifying and analyzing autonomous presidential leadership. I conclude with thoughts for a research agenda.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1081/PAD-200055212

Affiliations: 1: Department of Political Science, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA

Publication date: 2005-01-01