The Personal President: Power Invested, Promise Unfulfilled

The Personal President examines the evolution of the American presidency from 1933-1984, tracking its transformation into what Theodore Lowi calls "plebiscitary government." The book analyzes how presidents increasingly bypassed Congress and traditional institutions to appeal directly to the public. Lowi traces this shift through key historical examples, focusing on the expansion of executive power and the rise of personalized leadership. His research draws from presidential records, policy documents, and media coverage to demonstrate changes in how presidents exercised authority and communicated with citizens. The study moves chronologically from FDR through Reagan, examining how each administration contributed to or resisted the trend toward personal presidency. Through detailed case studies, Lowi demonstrates the practical and constitutional implications of this governmental transformation. The book raises fundamental questions about democracy, institutional boundaries, and the nature of executive power in modern America. Its analysis of presidential authority and its limits remains relevant to contemporary debates about the scope and conduct of the executive branch.

Readers cite Lowi's analysis of presidential power expanding beyond constitutional limits as the book's main strength. Multiple reviewers highlight his argument about the "plebiscitary presidency" and personalization of executive authority. What readers liked: - Clear historical examples showing the evolution of presidential power - Detailed examination of how media and public expectations shaped the office - Relevant predictions about future presidential challenges What readers disliked: - Dense academic writing style - Some repetitive sections - Limited solutions proposed Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (14 ratings) Amazon: 4/5 (6 ratings) Sample review: "Lowi makes a compelling case about the dangers of an imperial presidency, though the writing can be dry at times." - Goodreads reviewer The main criticism from academic reviewers is that the book focuses more on diagnosing problems than offering remedies for presidential overreach. Note: Limited review data available online as this is an academic text from 1985.

Going Public: New Strategies of Presidential Leadership by Samuel Kernell A study of how modern presidents bypass Congress through direct public appeals and media strategies.

Presidential Power and the Modern Presidents by Richard E. Neustadt An examination of presidential influence through persuasion and political relationships across multiple administrations.

The Politics Presidents Make by Stephen Skowronek An analysis of presidential leadership patterns and institutional constraints from Andrew Jackson through Ronald Reagan.

The Imperial Presidency by Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. A historical investigation of the expansion of executive power and its implications for American democracy.

The Presidential Character by James David Barber A framework for understanding how presidents' personality types and psychological characteristics shape their leadership styles and decision-making.

🔹 Theodore Lowi coined the term "juridification," describing how modern presidents increasingly rely on legal authority and court decisions rather than legislative consensus to achieve their goals. 🔹 The book was published in 1985 but accurately predicted the continued expansion of presidential power that would occur under both Democratic and Republican administrations. 🔹 Lowi served as president of the American Political Science Association and taught at Cornell University for over 50 years, where he developed his influential theories about the modern presidency. 🔹 The concept of the "personal presidency" described in the book refers to how modern presidents bypass traditional institutional constraints by appealing directly to the public through media and personal charisma. 🔹 The book argues that Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal marked a crucial turning point in American history, fundamentally changing the relationship between the presidency and the public by creating expectations that presidents would personally solve national problems.