Accidental Presidents
Death, Assassination, Resignation, and Democratic Succession
Abbott, Philip
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BOOK SYNOPSIS
One of the commonly stated virtues of modern constitutional democracies is their capacity to insure reliable and accepted methods of political succession through election. This book focuses on one particular, though not uncommon, complication in the democratic mode of political succession: American vice-presidents who assume office as a result of the death, assassination or resignation of a president. Three basic strategies by accidental presidents to establish and enhance their legitimacy are identified and evaluated. While none are reliably successful, each provides a lens to study the nature of presidential power and authority as well as to contribute to a democratic theory of succession.
AUTHOR BIO
Philip Abbott is Distinguished University Professor at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. His recent books include Exceptional America: Newness and National Identity (1999), Political Thought in America: Conversations and Debates, third edition (2004), The Many Faces of Patriotism (2007) and Accidental Presidents: Death, Assassination, Resignation and Democratic Succession (forthcoming, 2008). He has published articles in Journal of American Studies, Rhetoric and Public Affairs, Journal of Politics, Perspectives on Politics, Journal of Utopian Studies, Amerikastudien, Soundings and other journals. He has held the Thomas Jefferson Chair in American Studies at the University of Amsterdam.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction: Succession and Democratic Theory * PART ONE: INDEPENDENT STRATEGIES * I can never consent to being dictated to: John Tyler * God save us from Whig Vice Presidents: Millard Fillmore * I care not about my dignity: Andrew Johnson * theres only one life between that madman and the presidency?: Theodore Roosevelt * PART TWO: HOMAGE STRATEGIES * He isnt Chet anymore, hes the president: Chester A. Arthur * I felt like all the planets had fallen on me: Harry S. Truman * for millions of Americans I wasan illegal usurper: Lyndon Baines Johnson * Minimalist Strategies * I thought I could swing it: Calvin Coolidge * I am acutely aware that you have not elected me as your President: Gerald Ford * Conclusion: Refounding Succession
Introduction: Succession and Democratic Theory * PART ONE: INDEPENDENT STRATEGIES * I can never consent to being dictated to: John Tyler * God save us from Whig Vice Presidents: Millard Fillmore * I care not about my dignity: Andrew Johnson * theres only one life between that madman and the presidency?: Theodore Roosevelt * PART TWO: HOMAGE STRATEGIES * He isnt Chet anymore, hes the president: Chester A. Arthur * I felt like all the planets had fallen on me: Harry S. Truman * for millions of Americans I wasan illegal usurper: Lyndon Baines Johnson * Minimalist Strategies * I thought I could swing it: Calvin Coolidge * I am acutely aware that you have not elected me as your President: Gerald Ford * Conclusion: Refounding Succession
FOR RELATED BOOKS
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Political Science Books :: Government Books :: National Books
MORE BOOK INFO
ISBN: 0230607667
ISBN(13-digit): 9780230607668
Dewey Decimal: 973.0099
Library of Congress: 2007048029
Book Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Language: ENG
No. of Pages: 233
