Focus : How is the modern presidency different from that envisioned by the Founders?

1. Focus: How is the modern presidency different from that envisioned by the Founders? Homework: For Tuesday: • Read Wilson, Chapter 12 (346-350) and take notes • Read Woll, Chapter 6, “Presidential Character” (268-278)

2. Global Trends…in case you missed it. • Major Points: • Many “hot button” issues on world stage today - Such as? • His central points of focus as we move forward: • Demographic Trends and Resource Scarcity • Most population growth will occur in? • Will drive global demand for what resources? • Growing world middle class demand for? • Historical Shifts Soon to Be… • Demographic weight of developed nations = -25% • Labor forces will contract as well • Most of population of the world will live in urban center • Old will outnumber the young • Social/Intellectual capital will be major economic drivers • What role might/could the US President play? What factors might limit his influence on the world stage? What question would you have asked if you were there?

3. President’s Vs. Prime Ministers • Factors that affect a president’s ability to accomplish a legislative program… • Presidents as outsiders • Presidents choose cabinet members • Presidents have no automatic majority in Congress • Does divided government necessarily lead to policy gridlock? • Is this even a bad thing?

4. The Evolution of the Presidency • The Founding (1790 – 1828) • A “modest” presidency; little power or prestige • Few vetoes; president as executive • The Jacksonian Period (1828 – 1836) • Increased power of president; conflict with Congress • More veto, not just on constitutional grounds • The Era of Congressional Dominance (1840s - ?) • “no-name president’s • A Reemergence of Presidential Prerogative? • Bush the Younger (Obama?)

5. Keys to Presidential greatness • Rated Intelligence – • Although we did not have intelligence test scores, we did ask our raters how intelligent, inventive, insightful, complex, and wise they perceived the various presidents to be. • Assertiveness, • is the single most important trait to presidential success. Presidents are an assertive group, and on the average score higher than eight of ten typical Americans. •  Positive Emotions – • A president's optimism and enthusiasm are important for performance on the job, but also for getting elected. • Activity Level – • Highly energetic chief executives like TR, LBJ, and Carter tend to be rated higher on this scale by historians than more placid characters like Grant, Taft, and Coolidge. • Achievement striving • (having high goals and working towards them in a systematic and focused manner) is an obvious asset and is related to success in most all walks of life apart from the arts. • Low Straightforwardness – • Historians tell us that a president's credibility is essential to the ability to lead. Yet, the tendency and ability to deceive is correlated with historians' ratings of presidential success. • Tender-Mindedness • predicts both presidential success and ethical behavior on the job. • Competence – • High scorers on this scale seek appropriate information when faced with a decision, have good judgment, and are broadly capable. •  Low Vulnerability – • Presidents who feel unnerved by stress and unable to cope with problems on their own (score high on Vulnerability) are likely to be given low marks by historians.