Article Summary Extra Credit-Kinsey Anderson

Stalemate by Sarah Binder

Throughout Stalemate, Binder discusses several reasons that cause a gridlock in Congress. Although gridlock is a newer term, it is not a new concept. Alexander Hamilton mentioned how he was annoyed by the stalemate that arose in the Continental Congress. Binder first writes how the divided government results in conflict, which leads to a deadlock. Since the frequency of gridlock is not consistent, Binder says it is important to learn what causes it. Even if Congress is controlled by the same party, compromise for breaking a gridlock is not insured. There is a structural and pluralist component of the American political system. According to the analysis of David Mayhew, the pluralist component is better because of the distributions of policy views and the timing of party politics. Party effects influence Congress’ decision making. While elections divide control, they also decide the different beliefs within each party. In order for the government to be receptive, it is important to have united political parties that could give decisive choices to the electorate. Over the years, the party polarization has increased, which further bolsters deadlock. If the United States had a greater political center and a less polarized Congress, then it is more likely to have policy compromise. Binder believes that bicameralism is the most significant reason causing gridlock in American politics. When there are structural differences in the House and the Senate, bicameral differences occur. In Congress, there is not much incentive for compromise, so many legislators do not feel it is urgent to reach an agreement. Since people have different hopes for the outcome of a gridlock, it is difficult to fix it.

The Imperial Presidency by Arthur Schlesinger

Schlesinger believes the imperial Presidency was significant in the creation foreign policy, and he further explains the war-making power of the president. The imperial Presidency became part of the American society because of the deterioration of the traditional party system. Over the years, the parties have declined, which can most significantly be attributed to the improvement of technology. Because the parties have diminished, there has been a larger focus on the President. Economic changes have also impacted the powers of the President. Schlesinger thinks Roosevelt and Kennedy both used their imperial powers wisely, but he does not believe the same for Richard Nixon. He believes Nixon is the ultimate imperial president. During the New American Revolution, the power was focused towards the  president, not the people. Nixon believed that, as the president, he could place himself above the Constitution, which is evident through the Watergate Scandal. Secrecy favored the government in three ways: the power to withhold, the power to leak, and the power to lie. After the secrecy, Schlesinger further writes about questioning the power of the president during Nixon’s administration. Because of the Watergate scandal, the imperial Presidency was stopped until the presidency of George Bush. President Bush’s response to the 9/11 attacks and foreign policy revived the imperial Presidency.

Pursuit of Justices by David Yalof

David Yalof discusses how the president has to select nominees to the Supreme Court, which is one of his most important duties. In order for the nominee to become a justice of the Supreme Court, the Senate must approve of the candidate. The president chooses a person who has similar doctrine to himself, which creates a continuing legacy for the president after his term ends. The New Deal brought about significant change in American politics. Yalof describes ten advancements that changed the manner in which the justices are selected. Substantial growth occurred in the Justice Department, the White House, and the federal courts, which allowed the attorney general to give more guidance while selecting a Supreme Court nominee. This expansion has also provided the president with more appointment opportunities. Since senatorial courtesy does not apply in the broadening D.C. Circuit, the president is able to select people who have similar ideology in the federal judicial system. In addition to expansion, technology has also been an important part of the changing selection process. With the media’s greater focus on the process, the public is more informed on the nominee. Overall, the Supreme Court has become more involved in American politics. The Court places itself in the middle of significant political controversies, and it is focused on a rights-based agenda.


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