American Royalty: The Bush and Clinton Families and the Danger to the American Presidency (The Evolving American Presidency) - Softcover

Corrigan, M.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1403984166 ISBN 13: 9781403984166

Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan, 2008

Synopsis

If Hillary Clinton won the Democratic Party nomination in 2008, it would continue a trend of a Bush or a Clinton being on a national presidential ticket for the last 28 years in the United States. Never before in the history of the nation have two families dominated the political process in such a manner. This two-family domination has endangered the American presidency as a representative institution and has allowed personal, family issues to dominate policymaking at a crucial time in American history. The problems with the Hillary Clinton campaign in 2008 and the current struggles of the second Bush presidency should give pause to those Americans who are contemplating a second Clinton presidency or a third Bush presidency. By examining the political careers of three Bushes (George H.W., George W. and Jeb) and two Clintons (Bill and Hillary), this book will highlight the problems and the consequences of combining the most powerful political office in the world with family legacies.

About this title

About the Author:

Matthew Corrigan Ph.D. is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at the University of North Florida. His research interests include Southern politics and the American Presidency. Recent publications include Race, Religion and Economic Change. During the aftermath of the 2000 presidential election, he was a consultant to Duval County, Florida and assisted county leaders in reforming the county’s voting system. He was previously President of the Florida Political Science Association. He lives in Jacksonville, Florida with his wife Mary and son John.

Review:

“Matt Corrigan’s provocative thesis—that presidents with familial ties pose a threat to the presidency and even to American democracy—uses the tools of a skilled presidentialist to examine a subject on everyone’s mind: the dynastic presidential politics echoed in names like Bush and Clinton. Presidential dynasty is nothing new (think Adams and Harrison). But the powerful modern presidency demands that we confront Corrigan’s arguments in this important new book.”—Robert J. Spitzer, Distinguished Service Professor of Political Science, SUNY Cortland and author of Saving the Constitution from Lawyers

“Matt Corrigan’s book raises serious questions every person should consider about the presidency in this postmodern, media-saturated environment.  We may be at a time in our polity when too much name recognition is a prelude to disaster.”—David Woodard, Professor of Political Science, Clemson University

“Corrigan’s American Royalty represents an insightful analysis of the prospects and challenges raised by the domination of the Presidency by two families. This provocative work is important reading for those concerned about the future of American politics and the status of democracy.”—David Gray Adler, Professor Political Science, Idaho State University

About this edition

• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 1403984166
• ISBN 13: 9781403984166
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 254