Government by Committee: Guiding the Ship of State
The White House is a difficult place to manage, but with so many layers of staff, it will go on even if the president chooses not to engage in the day-to-day workings of government. "The office is difficult to occupy if you want to be a great presid...
Government by Committee: White House Staff, The
In the long shadow of history, the White House staff is a relatively new aspect of the office. When George Washington wanted a letter written he summoned Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson to take dictation. With the expansion of U. S. government d...
Pressure Politics: Unity: A Rare but Essential Commodity
The actions of a unified team, working together, provide the foundation from which change is achieved. Many interest groups lack such unity. Until ordinary workers organize themselves into meaningful coalitions to put pressure on politicians their i...
Leader for a Nation: Beginning Days of a Presidency, The
Newly elected presidents are generally granted a brief honeymoon period in which to act without great resistance from Congress. In these early days, it is important to have a very clear plan, three or four critical goals the administration wants to ...
Leader for a Nation: Presidential End Runs
No member of Congress can compete with the ability of the president to get news attention. In recent years some presidents have elected to appeal to the American public for support of their policies rather than rely on their ability to bargain with ...
Pressure Politics: How Big Business Promotes Its Agenda
The financial resources of big business allow them to organize mass numbers of people, hire experienced lobbyists and researchers, and support congressmen friendly to their causes. Consequently, the overall success of their efforts is often greater ...
Pressure Politics: Most Powerful Lobbying Groups, The
Each year Fortune magazine conducts a survey to determine the most powerful lobbying groups. Money is not always a factor. The NIFB, the small business lobby and their push for fewer taxes and less regulation, is always near the top. But the number ...
Balance of Power: Lobbying and Special Interest Groups
Special interest groups may have very different agendas, but one thing all have in common is the ability to motivate their membership.
Balance of Power: Money and Politics
While it's rare that a politician's vote can literally be bought in the United States, the influence of money on the U.S. political system is enormous.
Candidates and Campaigns: Costs of Campaigning, The
Campaigning is expensive, and the costs keep rising. Only people who have their own money or can put together an alliance of interests can finance a campaign. The constant need to raise campaign funds corrodes the process, says Tom Patterson. "You c...