"Presidential Power: Assessing The Unitary Executive As The ...

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Home > CUNY Graduate Center > Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects > 3088

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Presidential Power: Assessing the Unitary Executive as the Strongest Determinant of Presidential Success

Author

Maxwell J. Fuerderer, CUNY Graduate CenterFollow

Date of Degree

5-2019

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Program

Political Science

Advisor

Charles Tien

Subject Categories

American Politics | Political Science | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Keywords

American Presidency, Executive Power, Unitary Executive, American Politics, Presidential Success.

Abstract

The Unitary Executive Theory, which implies that the president should have plenary authority over executive branch functions, and is the sole arbiter of executive power, can be attributed to increasing the powers of the presidency and overall making a president more successful in his policy endeavors. I have concentrated my research to contextualize different variables for presidential success, including prior experience, bureaucratic loyalty, historical context, and, most importantly, the unitary executive. I apply these determinants to two case studies to determine which are most effective. Using the examples of Andrew Jackson and Jimmy Carter, I show how their contrasting uses of a unitary executive contributes most to their respective successful and unsuccessful presidencies. While other determinants of success for presidents can be considered, I find that a strong application of the unitary executive is the most influential for presidential success.

Recommended Citation

Fuerderer, Maxwell J., "Presidential Power: Assessing the Unitary Executive as the Strongest Determinant of Presidential Success" (2019). CUNY Academic Works.https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/3088

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