Seven Laws of Presidential Leadership, CourseSmart eTextbook

For American Presidency, Presidential Leadership and Chief Executive courses.

 

The Seven Laws of Presidential Leadership presents the traditional  topics of history, rhetoric, politics, Congress, the Courts, and other subjects through an innovative method that sparks student interest and increases teaching options.

 

After some 30 years of teaching and writing about the presidency at Florida State University, the University of Illinois (Urbana), Clemson University, and Grove City College, Charles W. Dunn wanted to distill into one book the general laws that govern presidential leadership. The title, Seven Laws, came from a series of new lectures, which he delivered at Clemson University. He noticed then that in response to those lectures, students listened more intently, took notes more thoroughly, and responded with more questions than ever before. The students’ response increasingly prompted him to think about how a book could capture the same high level of student interest. The result was The Seven Laws of Presidential Leadership.

Preface

 

 

1 The Law of History: The Irony of Power and Promise

 

Introduction to the Law of History

Constitutional Creation

Defining Moments and Turning Points

The Paradox of Presidential Power

Conclusion

 

 

2 The Law of Rhetoric: The Stagecraft of Presidential Leadership

 

Introduction to the Law of Rhetoric

Eras of Rhetorical Change

Rhetorical Currency

Rhetorical Strategy

Conclusion

 

 

3 The Law of Theory: The Paradoxes of Presidential Leadership

 

Introduction to the Law of Theory

Presidential Power

The Exceptional Person

History and Culture

The Paradoxes

Conclusion

 

 

4 The Law of Culture: Unanticipated Consequences

 

Introduction to the Law of Culture

Substance and Style

 

      Culture

      Presidential Debates

      Television

      Public Opinion Polls

 

Impact on Presidential Leadership

Conclusion

 

5 The Law of Morality: Kaleidoscopic Uncertainty

 

Introduction to the Law of Morality

Moral Issues in the Modern Presidency

Types of Moral Issues

Perspectives on Presidential Morality

Presidential Morality Historically Examined

Presidential Morality and the Moral Kaleidoscope

Conclusion

 

 

6 The Law of Politics: Steadiness and Strategic Thinking

 

Introduction to the Law of Politics

Personal and Political Backgrounds

Public Policy Stability

Presidential Campaigns

Presidential Elections

Administrative Strategies

Conclusion

 

 

7 The Law of Management: Indirection

 

Introduction to the Law of Management

Managerial or Political President?

Managing the Executive Branch

Organizational Models

Promotion of Ideas and Vision

Influencing the Congress

Influencing the Courts

Conclusion

 

Notes

 

Appendix

 

Topical Bibliography

 

Personal History of Presidents

 

Presidential Election Results: 1789 — 2004

 

Religious Affiliations of Presidents

 

Constitution of the United States

  Index