executive power

White House advisor to four presidents David Gergen chronicles the ups and downs of presidential leadership over the last thirty years of the twentieth century.

Describes the judicial powers of the Supreme Court; discusses its interaction with the president, Congress, and the states; examines pressures on the Court, including the history of controversial confirmations and congressional confrontations; and reviews key rulings of the Court in cases ranging from 1790 through 1996.

A brief survey of the American presidency, focusing on the issue of accountability, and the challenges of presidential leadership in a separated powers system of government, such as exists in the United States.

Chronicles the debate over the role of the states and the power of the Supreme Court played out in American history by Thomas Jefferson and John Marshall.

Explains the system of the electoral college, why it was established by the founding fathers, and how citizens were later given more voting rights through Constitutional amendments.

Traces the history of the American presidency, discussing how presidential power has changed over the last two centuries and profiling the men who have held the office and the changes they made.