Imperial and Imperilled presidency

Imperial presidency

Term popularised by Schlesinger

Refers to a presidency characterised by the misuse and abuse of the powers of the presidency

In particular it refers to excessive secrecy and high handedness in dealing with congress

‘the imperial presidency was essentially the creation of foreign policy’ – Schlesinger

i.e. North Korea invaded South Korea, Truman immediately sent troops to South Korea without any congressional authorisation and congress raised barely a murmur

It not only affects foreign policy – it has spread to domestic policy

Nixon – Watergate affair – secrecy and abuses of power at all levels

                EV. Nixon’s forced resignation proves that imperial presidency…