The Presidency Since Mid-Century

Many scholars and observers claim that the presidential office and the political environment in which presidents operate have been transformed in the second half of the twentieth century. The starting point for examining these claims is Richard Neustadt's classic assessment of the presidency at mid-century. Of particular interest are discussions of the presidency's intensified relationship with the public, the so-called "postmodern" presidency, and leadership under conditions of divided government. Far from being a watershed, Ronald Reagan's experience in office represents a continuation of existing trends with only limited impact on the institution and the conduct of its occupants. Neither Neustadt nor his critics have devised an answer for how presidents can close the gap between performance and expectations, although end-of-the-century presidents confront difficulties greater than ever.