Debating the Presidency: Conflicting Perspectives on the American Executive

The study of the presidency--the power of the office, the evolution of the institution, the men who have served--has generated a rich body of research and scholarship. What better way to get students to grapple with this literature than through conflicting perspectives on some of the most pivotal issues facing the modern presidency? Once again Ellis and Nelson have assembled a cadre of top scholars to offer pro/con essays that will inspire spirited debate beyond the pages of the book in the Third edition of Debating the Presidency. Based on reviewers' suggestions the authors have added new debate topics that include the presidential power to persuade, an up/down vote by Congress on legislation proposed by the president, presidential czars, the unitary executive, and the president's war powers. Ellis and Nelson introduce each pair of essays, providing context and preparing students to read each argument critically, so they can decide for themselves which side of the debate they find most persuasive.

About the Author :
Richard J. Ellis is Mark O. Hatfield Professor of Politics at Willamette University. His books include The Development of the American Presidency (2015; 2nd ed.); Debating Reform: Conflicting Perspectives on How to Fix the American Political System (with Michael Nelson, 3nd ed., 2016); Judging the Boy Scouts of America: Gay Rights, Freedom of Association, and the Dale Case (2014); Judging Executive Power: Sixteen Supreme Court Cases That Have Shaped the American Presidency (2009); and Presidential Travel: The Journey from George Washington to George W. Bush (2008). In 2008 he was named the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching Oregon Professor of the Year. Michael Nelson is Fulmer Professor of Political Science at Rhodes College. He is also a senior fellow of the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia and senior contributing editor and book editor of the Cook Political Report. His recent books include Resilient America: Electing Nixon in 1968, Channeling Dissent, and Dividing Government (2014), which won the Richard e. Neustadt Award for Best Book on the American Presidency and How the South Joined the Gambling Nation: The Politics of State Policy Innovation (with John Mason; 2008), which won the V. O. Key Award for outstanding book on southern politics. More than fifty of his articles have been reprinted in anthologies of political science, history, music, sports, and English composition.

Review :
"This is one of my favorite books to use as a teaching tool--students respond well to the challenge to think critically about both sides of important arguments about the presidency. The chapter introductions are tremendously valuable and quite well done."--Brendan Doherty "This text is a great supplement to the main text I assign. The brief introduction in each chapter nicely frames the issue and the format of the text exposes students to both sides of the debate. My students have responded very positively to the text, particularly because the essays are relatively short and written appropriately for undergraduate students."--Andrew H. Sidman This is one of my favorite books to use as a teaching tool students respond well to the challenge to think critically about both sides of important arguments about the presidency. The chapter introductions are tremendously valuable and quite well done. --Brendan Doherty" This text is a great supplement to the main text I assign. The brief introduction in each chapter nicely frames the issue and the format of the text exposes students to both sides of the debate. My students have responded very positively to the text, particularly because the essays are relatively short and written appropriately for undergraduate students. --Andrew H. Sidman"