Government by Committee: President's Changing Leadership Responsibilities
Throughout most of the 18th and 19th centuries Congress jealously guarded its legislative powers. But as the nation moved from an agrarian to an industrial society, stronger presidential leadership became necessary. Woodrow Wilson viewed the preside...
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...
Government by Committee: Forming the New Administration
When American go to the polls on election day they are choosing more than a single executive leader. They are also selecting a slate of executive and staff officers that will be named in the early months of the administration. Filling these staff po...
Power Imperative, The: Working With Congress
Government agencies depend on Congress for their very existence, but Congress can do little more than give the bureaucracy general instructions as it concentrates on its own legislative agenda. Members of Congress do expect agencies to respond to th...
Power Imperative, The: One Job; Many Masters
A manager in the private sector has a single constituency to serve, the stockholders, but a manager in the public sector has multiple sets of constituencies: the legislature and the executive at the federal level; state and local governments; and or...
Power Imperative, The: Question of Effectiveness, A
The bureaucracy that was created in response to the challenges of the industrial revolution and the rampant spoils system that ensued may no longer be what is needed in the 21st century, both in terms of administrative structure and type of civil se...
Power Imperative, The: Expert Knowledge Generates Power
In the corridors of the Capitol and the White House, bureaucrats achieve power because of their expert knowledge. These are civil servants who not only know where the skeletons are but also what needs to be done and the improvements that should be m...
Power Imperative, The: Bureaucracy and the Courts, The
The judicial branch cannot initiate control over the bureaucracy on its own. The courts have to operate on the basis of cases brought to them, as occurred in relation to the government's conflicting policies on tobacco. When the court directs an age...
Best Laid Plans...: U. S. Response to Napoleonic Wars
Jefferson and the Republicans as well as the Federalists are determined to maintain neutrality in the Napoleonic Wars. In order to enforce neutrality Jefferson imposes an embargo to keep Americans from trading abroad. This triggers a serious economi...
Warrior to Priest...Presidents of the Early 1900s: Woodrow Wilson and The New Freedom
Woodrow Wilson is a bold and forceful leader clearly in charge of the Executive branch. In legislative matters, he skillfully uses his position as party leader to solidify support for his program in Congress. Wilson sees a strong link between popula...