The Decline and Fall of the American Republic (The Tanner Lectures on Human Values)

Bruce Ackerman shows how the institutional dynamics of the last half-century have transformed the American presidency into a potential platform for political extremism and lawlessness. Watergate, Iran-Contra, and the War on Terror are only symptoms of deeper pathologies. ­Ackerman points to a series of developments that have previously been treated independently of one another—from the rise of presidential primaries, to the role of pollsters and media gurus, to the centralization of power in White House czars, to the politicization of the military, to the manipulation of constitutional doctrine to justify presidential power-grabs. He shows how these different transformations can interact to generate profound constitutional crises in the twenty-first century—and then proposes a series of reforms that will minimize, if not eliminate, the risks going forward. The book aims to begin a new constitutional debate. Americans should not suppose that Barack Obama’s centrism and constitutionalism will typify the presidencies of the twenty-first century. We should seize the present opportunity to confront deeper institutional pathologies before it is too late. (20101019) Contents ......Page 8 Introduction: Triumphalism......Page 12 Part One: The Most Dangerous Branch......Page 24 1. An Extremist Presidency......Page 26 2. The Politicized Military......Page 54 Part Two: The Question of Legitimacy......Page 76 3. Three Crises......Page 78 4. Executive Constitutionalism......Page 98 Part Three: Reconstruction......Page 128 5. Enlightening Politics......Page 130 6. Restoring the Rule of Law......Page 152 Conclusion: Living Dangerously......Page 192 Notes......Page 200 Acknowledgments......Page 270 Index......Page 272 ... Shows How The Institutional Dynamics Of The Last Half-century Have Transformed The American Presidency Into A Potential Platform For Political Extremism And Lawlessness--jacket. Introduction : Triumphalism -- An Extremist Presidency -- The Politicized Military -- Three Crises -- Executive Constitutionalism -- Enlightening Politics -- Restoring The Rule Of Law -- Conclusion : Living Dangerously. Bruce Ackerman. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Contents 8 Introduction: Triumphalism 12 Part One: The Most Dangerous Branch 24 1. An Extremist Presidency 26 2. The Politicized Military 54 Part Two: The Question of Legitimacy 76 3. Three Crises 78 4. Executive Constitutionalism 98 Part Three: Reconstruction 128 5. Enlightening Politics 130 6. Restoring the Rule of Law 152 Conclusion: Living Dangerously 192 Notes 200 Acknowledgments 270 Index 272 9780674057036 Harvard University Press Suggests that the power of the American presidency has increased over the last fifty years, threatening the the constitutional balance of the three branches, a situation that the author feels must be remedied.