Political Theorists Flashcards
What did Dahl say about the Constitution
it is undemocratic in many ways and could be reformed to make it more democratic e.g term limits in Congress, Electoral College reform, SC power restrictions
what did madison say about the constitution
the three central principles of the US constitution are a compromise, compromise, compromise
what did Jefferson say about the constitution
the constitution should be of the living not the dead
what did stevens say about the constitution?
six amendments are needed to make the Constitution work
what did Sabato say about the constitution?
a more perfect constitution could be formed by certain key reforms - all unlikely though
what did Lott and Daschle say about the constitution
crisis point in US politics due to polarisation, money and failure to compromise
what did Fukuyama say about the constitution
America is in decay due to rigid checks and balances with SOPs and decentralised power
what did Neustadt say about the President
president’s only real power is the power to persuade and powers are no guarantee of power
what did Schlesinger say about the President
the imperial presidency theory where the normal constitutional checks and balances have broken down. Linked to the idea f an overmighty president and weak Congress e.g Nixon and Bush
what did Yoo say about the Presidency
the two presidency theory. The view is that the President, as commander in chief, has the inherent authority to decide the law on issues of national security. Used to justify the war presidency of Bush
what did Wildavsky say about the Presidency
the two presidency theory: one domestic/constrained president and unrestricted foreign policy president co-existing
what did Charles O. Jones say about the Presidency
the modern president is effectively constrained by a functioning SOPs
what did Lowi say about the Presidency
the law of presidential failure. All Presidents are so contained by the SOPs and term limits that they are bound to fail and turn into lame ducks
what did Shannon say about the Presidency
the president’s power is bound to the factors of circumstance and personality
