War and the Rogue Presidency: Restoring the Republic after Congressional Failure (Independent Institute Studies in Political Economy)

"In War and the Rogue Presidency, Ivan Eland shows that almost immediately after the nation's founding, starting with the first presidency of George Washington, the executive's role in defense and foreign policy began expanding past what the framers of the Constitution had envisioned. The Constitution enshrined Congress as the dominant branch of government, giving Congress, not the President, most of the powers in defense and foreign policy. This comprehensive book shows how the presidential aggrandizement of greater powers has only been possible because of congressional abdication. However, this expansion of the executive's role was still relatively contained until the Cold War when undeclared, permanent war became ongoing policy, and then the post-9/11 war on terror dramatically expanded the President's role. Such expansion has had deleterious effects on U.S. foreign policy abroad, as well as a major erosion of the republic, its security at home, and the liberties of American citizens. War and the Rogue Presidency is an in-depth examination of the history of the congressional-executive tug-of-war over U.S. security policy and why reclaiming constitutional standards is essential to restore both an effective national defense and civil and economic liberties. To get Congress to do that, Dr. Eland presents ways in which internal congressional incentives could be changed to provide motivation for legislative push-back. As a result, the book suggests important actions Congress could take for such a push-back along with other reforms that would effectively rein in the rogue presidency."--Publisher's description The Office of the President of the U.S. isnt what it used to beit has morphed into an overgrown beast. So says presidential scholar Ivan Eland in his landmark new book War and the Rogue Restoring the Republic after Congressional Failure . The presidency no longer simply enforces the laws passed by Congress but literally dominates American political life. Its vast bureaucracy is flush with cash and wields powers never authorized by the Framers. But who do we have to thank for this distortion of the Constitution? Congress. The presidency, says Eland, isnt inherently imperial. Its contingently imperial . Particularly when wars loom and Congress refuses to forestall our engagement in themwith inevitable consequences. Armed conflict bloats armies and emboldens the commanders-in-chief who wield them. Presidents, for instance, now unilaterally start wars and kill Americans (and others) overseas without due process. But wars also lead to massive domestic government interference . Income tax, estate tax, gas taxes, the IRS, public housing, rent control, inflationary money printing, financial bailoutsall have their origins in wartime The solution is clear . Congress, says Eland, simply must refuse to fund the undeclared wars presidents seem bent on waging. Yet to do that Congress must first implement reforms detailed in this weaken the committee structure; eliminate the seniority system, outlaw covert destabilization of foreign governments, and back federal courts seeking to limit the national security stateand many more. In sum, liberals, conservatives, independentsanybody concerned for personal liberties and good governanceshould read this pathbreaking book and grapple with its implications. For they are wide-ranging and entail staggering consequences for a free people. Ivan Elands book Answers Questions such ? Why has the Executive been able to become the dominant branch of government since World War IIand how has that aggrandizement accelerated during the terms of recent presidents? ? Is there anything we can do to restore the Constitutions original balance of power among the three branches? Or is the slide into Executive tyranny inevitable? ? Attempts have been made in the past at restoring Congress as the first branch of Government. Why did they fail? ? Must we just accept that complex modern societies must have large administrative states with dominant presidentsconstrained only by popular opinion and periodic elections? ? What reforms must Congress enactto its own procedures and for the nation at largeto restore balance to our government and ensure protection of personal liberties and meaningful national security? The Office of the President of the U.S. isn't what it used to be—it has morphed into an overgrown beast. So says presidential scholar  Ivan Eland  in his landmark new book  War and the Rogue Presidency: Restoring the Republic after Congressional Failure . The presidency no longer simply enforces the laws passed by Congress but literally dominates American political life. Its vast bureaucracy is flush with cash and wields powers never authorized by the Framers. But who do we have to thank for this distortion of the Constitution? Congress. The presidency, says Eland, isn't inherently imperial. It's contingently imperial. Particularly when wars loom and Congress refuses to forestall our engagement in them—with inevitable consequences. But wars also lead to massive domestic government interference. In sum, liberals, conservatives, independents—anybody concerned for personal liberties and good governance—should read this pathbreaking book and grapple with its implications. War And The Presidency: Restoring The Republic From Congressional Failure Discusses The Limited Role For The Presidency That Our Nation's Founders Envisioned And Its Evolution Into An Out-of-control Imperial Position Of Power. Dr. Eland Concludes That The Presidency Has Gained More Power Through Congressional Timidity And Abdication Rather Than Through Presidential Overreach. The Written Constitution Enshrined Congress As The Dominant Branch Of Government. Thus, The Dangerous Imperial Presidency Is Contingent And Can Be Rolled Back Only With A Congressional Reawakening. To Get Congress To Do This, The Author Suggests Ways In Which Internal Congressional Incentives Can Be Changed To Provide Motivation For A Legislative Pushback. The Author Also Outlines Important Actions Congress Could Take In Order To Reign In Executive Power As Well As Structural Reforms That Might Limit The Role Of The Imperial Presidency.