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American Democracy

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American Democracy
ican Essay question 1. Distinguish differences between the stewardship and the constructionist approaches to the presidency. Understand how historic circumstances, presidential personality, and public expectations have influenced Presidents in either approach
The stewardship prefers the expanded presidential power, while the constructionist prefers the restricted presidential power. Theodore Roosevelt articulated the stewardship approach to presidential power based on the presidencies of two of his predecessors, Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Jackson. Roosevelt believed that the president had a moral duty to serve as popular interests and did not need specific constitutional or legal authorization to take action. The stewardship held and expansionist view of presidential powers and interpreted the constitution loosely. In contrast to this stewardship view of the executive power is the constructionist view espoused by William Howard Taft. Taft believed that the president could exercise no power unless it could be traced to or implied from an express grant in either the constitution or an act of congress.
The president’s personality, like the style, worldview, and character will influence the president. For example, FDR was skilled at using rhetoric, direct bargaining and intense analysis of details of policy to pass his preferred policies. Presidents who see human nature as inherently evil, for example, will probably have a hard time working or bargaining with others. Character is the way a person orients himself toward life. Like Wilson, he was probably a little too full of himself. The historic situation is also an important element to let a president whether fail or success. For example, Lincoln and FDR faced a world of strife but had a lot of support in congress, while Madison and Wilson opposition in the political system. There are always lot expectations of all presidents. However, some presidents certainly face more or less expectations when they entered

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