A Republic, If You Can Keep It: The Foundation of the American Presidency, 1700-1800Riccards has written a unique account of the creation of and early experience with the US presidency. The author first explores the English and colonial experience that was relevant to structuring executive authority at the constitutional convention (as well as the theories supporting this experience). He then turns to familiar subjects--the decision-making in Philadelphia that led to a presidency and the role of the executive article in the ratification debate. All this is accomplished with clarity and economy of writing. The longer second part of the book is an analysis of George Washington's presidency, showing that Washington followed a federalist or strong executive model. Several brief chapters discuss the man and his popularity among the American people, the condition of the executive and bureaucracy before Washington became president, and events and policies that occupied the first president. The last chapter is an epilogue that all too briefly sets the Washington presidency in comparative and historical context. . . . The book is a useful contribution to presidential scholarship. Choice |
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action administration affairs Alexander Hamilton American Revolution appointed approved argued army asked attacked authority bank became began Benjamin Lincoln British Burr cabinet citizens Clinton colonies Congress Constitution Continental Congress controversy Convention Court created criticism debate debt decided delegates diplomatic Edmund Randolph election electors England established Europe executive power federal government Federalist finally Flexner foreign policy France French frontier Genet George Clinton George Washington governor Hamilton Henry Knox House Indian ington issue J. H. Plumb Jay Treaty Jefferson John Adams king Knox land later leaders Lear legislative legislature liberty Madison major military militia minister monarch Morris moved neutrality Neutrality Proclamation noted partisan party Patriot and President peace Pennsylvania Philadelphia Pickering political position prerogative President's proclamation proposed Randolph Republicans Revolutionary royal Secretary Senate Spanish term Thomas Pinckney Timothy Pickering Treasury tribes United University Press Vice-President Virginia vote Wash Whiskey Whiskey Rebellion wrote York