A reminder to read the following for Monday:
Eileen L. McDonagh, "The 'Welfare Rights State' and the 'Civil Rights State': Policy Paradox andState Building in the Progressive Era," Studies in American Political Development, 7 (2) (Fall 1993): 225-274. (coursepack)
James Morone, Hellfire Nation, Chs 10, 11. (coursepack) Stephen Skowronek
Friday, March 13, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
HOW DID PROGRESSIVES DIFFER FROM POPULISTS?
Unified movement with different types, Northeastern urban, Southern populist, Western progressives
Northeastern Progressives more concerned with Immigrants, concerned about Direct Democracy
WHY WAS THE PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT CONSIDERED MORE MAINSTREAM?
MUGWUMPS AND MUCKRACKERS
CORPORATIONS
Reduce power over legislative process – legislatures full of corruption
Social reforms of negative impact of business – Labor legislation, Health and safety legislation
Railroads and utilities to protect new services
Corporations do some for society, progressives want them to work in public interest
MACHINES
Jackson – public service should be open to all
Sense that corruption is tied to structure of government, system builds incentive to work for party
Britain 1855 Civil Service Reform
Late 1860s early 1870s Republicans begin to lose control, part of the reason behind Civil Service Reform, make Grant look like a reformer, keep Republican coalition together
1871 Civil Service Commission – first merit exams in 1873, 1874 Congress shuts off funding, Grant removes program 1875
Investigation in Port of New York,
Hayes extends Civil Service Reform by Executive Order
President Arthur – Civil Service Reform use Garfield’s platform to further cause of reform
National Civil Service Reform League – working with Pendleton of Idaho
Pendleton Act 1891 – Commission that will recommend rules for civil service exams
1882 Republicans lose House – party competition tightened
Bicameralism important –
By 1900 close to half civil service is merit based
Once a reform is in place it sets out next reform
Interstate Commerce Commission 1887
Railroad monopolization
State legislatures had previously controlled railroads
Railroads also realize they need reform ,
Role of economists and experts
Sherman Antitrust Act – 1890 to prevent monopoly
See no benefits to machines , anti-immigrent,
Distinguish between responsible wealth and irresponsible wealth
Want business to be managed by a responsible elite
POLITICAL AND ELECTORAL PROCESSES
If you want good outcomes, you need a better political process
AUSTRALIAN BALLOT
Official, consolidated, secret
Replaced party prepared ballots
LITERACY REQUIREMENTS etc
DIRECT PRIMARY
DIRECT ELECTION OF SENATORS
CANVASS
28 states
CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM
NATIONAL PUBLICITY ACTS 1910, 1911
Publicized campaign donations and expenditures
Corrupt Practices Acts – state level ban on corporations contributing to campaigns
Banned paying people to vote
DECLINE IN TURNOUT
State controlled elections took excitement away from campaigns
DECLINE OF PARTIES AND RISE OF INTEREST GROUPS
Skocpol – looks at interest group membership historically
Farm Bureau, Association of Manufacterers
RISE OF ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES –
Progressives wanted to replace control from legislatures to scientific management
Non-elected officials with specialized training
Losing power of appointment you lose accountability
MORONE –
TENSIONS IN PROGRESSIVE ERA
1) Direct Democracy – initiative, referendum, recall
Tension with administrative agencies
CAN BE RECONCILED WITH AN OBJECTIVE PUBLIC INTEREST, IN CONTRAST TO CORRUPT LEGISLATORS
Unified movement with different types, Northeastern urban, Southern populist, Western progressives
Northeastern Progressives more concerned with Immigrants, concerned about Direct Democracy
WHY WAS THE PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT CONSIDERED MORE MAINSTREAM?
MUGWUMPS AND MUCKRACKERS
CORPORATIONS
Reduce power over legislative process – legislatures full of corruption
Social reforms of negative impact of business – Labor legislation, Health and safety legislation
Railroads and utilities to protect new services
Corporations do some for society, progressives want them to work in public interest
MACHINES
Jackson – public service should be open to all
Sense that corruption is tied to structure of government, system builds incentive to work for party
Britain 1855 Civil Service Reform
Late 1860s early 1870s Republicans begin to lose control, part of the reason behind Civil Service Reform, make Grant look like a reformer, keep Republican coalition together
1871 Civil Service Commission – first merit exams in 1873, 1874 Congress shuts off funding, Grant removes program 1875
Investigation in Port of New York,
Hayes extends Civil Service Reform by Executive Order
President Arthur – Civil Service Reform use Garfield’s platform to further cause of reform
National Civil Service Reform League – working with Pendleton of Idaho
Pendleton Act 1891 – Commission that will recommend rules for civil service exams
1882 Republicans lose House – party competition tightened
Bicameralism important –
By 1900 close to half civil service is merit based
Once a reform is in place it sets out next reform
Interstate Commerce Commission 1887
Railroad monopolization
State legislatures had previously controlled railroads
Railroads also realize they need reform ,
Role of economists and experts
Sherman Antitrust Act – 1890 to prevent monopoly
See no benefits to machines , anti-immigrent,
Distinguish between responsible wealth and irresponsible wealth
Want business to be managed by a responsible elite
POLITICAL AND ELECTORAL PROCESSES
If you want good outcomes, you need a better political process
AUSTRALIAN BALLOT
Official, consolidated, secret
Replaced party prepared ballots
LITERACY REQUIREMENTS etc
DIRECT PRIMARY
DIRECT ELECTION OF SENATORS
CANVASS
28 states
CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM
NATIONAL PUBLICITY ACTS 1910, 1911
Publicized campaign donations and expenditures
Corrupt Practices Acts – state level ban on corporations contributing to campaigns
Banned paying people to vote
DECLINE IN TURNOUT
State controlled elections took excitement away from campaigns
DECLINE OF PARTIES AND RISE OF INTEREST GROUPS
Skocpol – looks at interest group membership historically
Farm Bureau, Association of Manufacterers
RISE OF ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES –
Progressives wanted to replace control from legislatures to scientific management
Non-elected officials with specialized training
Losing power of appointment you lose accountability
MORONE –
TENSIONS IN PROGRESSIVE ERA
1) Direct Democracy – initiative, referendum, recall
Tension with administrative agencies
CAN BE RECONCILED WITH AN OBJECTIVE PUBLIC INTEREST, IN CONTRAST TO CORRUPT LEGISLATORS
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Bensel
Industrialization exacerbated sectional differences in the US
The Northeast and Great Lakes states benefited enormously from manufacturing growth and the protective tariff.
Agricultural states in the South and Midwest suffered from deflationary policies.
3 Crucial Economic development policies during the late 19th Century
1) Unregulated Market
(Helped to promote industry)
2) International Gold Standard
(Guaranteed exchange rate stability with foreign currencies)
3) Protective Tariff
(Protected industry from foreign competition. Kept prices artificially higher)
Policies of Free Markets, Gold, and Protectionism kept the Republican coalition in majority status
Hofstadter – “Populism was the first modern political movement of practical importance in the United States to insist that the federal government has some responsibility for the common weal . . . it was the first such movement to attack seriously the problems created by industrialism.”
Populism as agrarian revolt against money power (Outgrowth of Granger movement)
Populism as paranoia and conspiracy
Populist’s Platform:
Free coinage of silver
Income Tax
Expanded currency and credit
Direct election of Senators
Initiative and Referendum
Populist Party a successful 3rd Party movement in 1892
General James Weaver 22 Electoral Votes
3 Governors, several House Members,
Focus on Silver
Populist Party co-opted by William Jennings Bryan and the Democrats in 1896
Populist Party dissolved shortly after members endorsed Bryan
Many Populist reforms were made law in subsequent decades
Farmers began to identify more with industry and employers
Industrialization exacerbated sectional differences in the US
The Northeast and Great Lakes states benefited enormously from manufacturing growth and the protective tariff.
Agricultural states in the South and Midwest suffered from deflationary policies.
3 Crucial Economic development policies during the late 19th Century
1) Unregulated Market
(Helped to promote industry)
2) International Gold Standard
(Guaranteed exchange rate stability with foreign currencies)
3) Protective Tariff
(Protected industry from foreign competition. Kept prices artificially higher)
Policies of Free Markets, Gold, and Protectionism kept the Republican coalition in majority status
Hofstadter – “Populism was the first modern political movement of practical importance in the United States to insist that the federal government has some responsibility for the common weal . . . it was the first such movement to attack seriously the problems created by industrialism.”
Populism as agrarian revolt against money power (Outgrowth of Granger movement)
Populism as paranoia and conspiracy
Populist’s Platform:
Free coinage of silver
Income Tax
Expanded currency and credit
Direct election of Senators
Initiative and Referendum
Populist Party a successful 3rd Party movement in 1892
General James Weaver 22 Electoral Votes
3 Governors, several House Members,
Focus on Silver
Populist Party co-opted by William Jennings Bryan and the Democrats in 1896
Populist Party dissolved shortly after members endorsed Bryan
Many Populist reforms were made law in subsequent decades
Farmers began to identify more with industry and employers
Friday, February 20, 2009
Jefferson and Jackson
Jefferson
Jefferson’s political victory was rooted in Adams’ political failures.
Adams broke with Federalists by his break with Hamilton. Hamiltonians later sided with Burr in 1800 Presidential election.
Jefferson sought to build a new consensus based on the new Democratic-Republican Party.
Strategic in filling vacancies.
Unlimited success with Congress.
Mixed success with the Courts
Repeal of 1801 Judiciary Act (Court did not overturn in Stuart v Laird)
Marbury v Madison
- Upheld Marbury’s claim to office while upholding the authority to judge constitutionality of legislation.
Legislative achievements:
Remade the Defense establishment, while raising the tariff
Passage of 12th Amendment in 1804
Did not submit Secretary of State Monroe’s treaty with the British to the Senate.
Instead, took the policy of a trade embargo.
Skowronek argues that checks and balances did not work during this period because other institutions such as Congress and the Courts were still asserting their identities. How valid is this argument? Would Jefferson have endured more scrutiny and resistance in other eras?
Jackson
Jackson’s 1828 election was pretexed in his 1824 defeat.
Jackson built a political coalition that was wrought with inconsistencies.
-Opposed Nullification AND a strong National Government
-Ran against institutions while supporting more of a citizen’s role in public administration
Jackson also endured much more political opposition than Jefferson.
Recommended a constitutional amendment removing the House from deciding Presidential elections and limiting the President to 1 term.
Jackson’s administration is mostly defined by his break with Calhoun and fights over the Bank.
Calhoun vs Van Buren rivalry over succession
Disagreement over tariff
Senate rejected many of his appointments
House voted satisfaction with the bank.
House and Senate attempted to renew the charter.
Jackson by vetoing the legislation and moving deposits to state banks.
Senate responded by censuring the President
1832 was a significant year in the development of Democratic and Whig parties
Democrats running for office took President’s position on the Bank
In 1832, South Carolina nullified the 1828 and 1832 tariffs. Jackson responded by proposing to send troops to SC for enforcement. This was known as the Force Bill.
Tariff and Force bill split all political coalitions
Calhoun-Clay alliance over Tariff and Force Bill
Lower tariff was negotiated (Clay compromise) for opposition dropped to the Force Bill (Calhoun compromise)
President tried to claim victory by signing the Force Bill first
Jackson’s greatest achievement is the modern party and administration. This is clearly described by Morone.
Morone looks at Jacksonian Democracy as a response to economic changes, immigration, and pressures caused by the Indian removal and slavery issues. In a way, Morone makes a better argument for Jackson being a reconstructive President.
Compare and contrast Jefferson’s and Jackson’s Presidencies. Why was Jefferson more successful in asserting Presidential authority? Why was Jackson more successful in remaking the political order?
Friday, February 13, 2009
Readings for Monday
Please read the following chapters for Monday's class:
James Morone, The Democratic Wish , pp. 74-96
Stephen Skowronek, The Politics Presidents Make , chapters on Presidents Jefferson and Jackson
James Morone, The Democratic Wish , pp. 74-96
Stephen Skowronek, The Politics Presidents Make , chapters on Presidents Jefferson and Jackson
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Midterm Essays
Answer 2 of the following (25 points each):
1. What is American Political Development? Which theories help us to arrive at a definition? Which theories are less applicable?
2. Can culture provide an adequate explanation of political development? Is there consensus in American political culture?
3. How well does political development occurs in cycles. Assess the following cyclical theories in your answer: Generations, Party Realignment, and Presidential Leadership.
4. Discuss the role played by Religion in American Political Development.
5. Describe Sundquist’s portrayal of Party Realignment. What are its strengths and weaknesses.
6. Assess Skowronek’s theory as a viable explanation of Presidential authority. The author explicitly omits personality and character traits, is this a flaw in his theory?
Answer 2 of the following (25 points each):
1. What is American Political Development? Which theories help us to arrive at a definition? Which theories are less applicable?
2. Can culture provide an adequate explanation of political development? Is there consensus in American political culture?
3. How well does political development occurs in cycles. Assess the following cyclical theories in your answer: Generations, Party Realignment, and Presidential Leadership.
4. Discuss the role played by Religion in American Political Development.
5. Describe Sundquist’s portrayal of Party Realignment. What are its strengths and weaknesses.
6. Assess Skowronek’s theory as a viable explanation of Presidential authority. The author explicitly omits personality and character traits, is this a flaw in his theory?
Monday, February 2, 2009
Presidential Leadership
Traditional Theories of the Presidency:
Presidents as agents of power
Presidents as articulators
Psychological Presidency
Skowronek’s Theory:
All Presidents aspire for a place in history.
Successful leaders control the political definition of their actions, and the terms in which their place in history is understood.
All presidents face the challenge of “Legitimation”
This manifests itself in how the President manages Power and Authority
Power – resources, formal and informal, that presidents in a given period have at their disposal.
Authority – expectations that surround the exercise of power at a particular moment. The perceptions of what is appropriate for a given president to do.
Skowronek’s argument is completely Structuralist
The author provides for “little in the personal characters or political skills of those few who have mastered the legitimation problem that readily distinguishes them as a group from those who have not.”
Agrees with Hamilton in Federalist 72, that new presidents come to power with a “rationale for shattering the received order.”
Exceptions??: John Q Adams, Benjamin Harrison, George W Bush
Thus, each President’s narrative is based on their placement in “political time”
President’s Political Identity
Previously Established Commitments
Opposed
Affiliated
Vulnerable
Politics of Reconstruction
Politics of Disjunction
Resilient
Politics of Preemption
Politics of Articulation
Politics of Reconstruction – President is from opposition to the previously established regime. Repudiates existing commitments of ideology and interests. Leverages events by fashioning an expansive authority to remake government.
Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln, FDR, Reagan
Disjunction – President is affiliated with a set of established commitments that have been considered as failed or not relevant to existing challenges and events.
John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, Herbert Hoover, Jimmy Carter
Articulation – Established commitments of ideology and interest are resilient. They use political action to leverage existing resources, “demonstrating the vitality of the established order.” Challenge is dealing with factional issues within the establishment.
James Monroe, James Polk, Theodore Roosevelt, Lyndon Johnson,
George H W Bush
Preemption – These are opposition leaders within a resilient political order. They present a new agenda, attempt to play political divisions against each other, forging a middle ground. Tend to be disruptive to existing coalitions, sometimes leading to constitutional crisis.
John Tyler, Andrew Johnson, Woodrow Wilson, Richard Nixon,
Bill Clinton
Traditional Theories of the Presidency:
Presidents as agents of power
Presidents as articulators
Psychological Presidency
Skowronek’s Theory:
All Presidents aspire for a place in history.
Successful leaders control the political definition of their actions, and the terms in which their place in history is understood.
All presidents face the challenge of “Legitimation”
This manifests itself in how the President manages Power and Authority
Power – resources, formal and informal, that presidents in a given period have at their disposal.
Authority – expectations that surround the exercise of power at a particular moment. The perceptions of what is appropriate for a given president to do.
Skowronek’s argument is completely Structuralist
The author provides for “little in the personal characters or political skills of those few who have mastered the legitimation problem that readily distinguishes them as a group from those who have not.”
Agrees with Hamilton in Federalist 72, that new presidents come to power with a “rationale for shattering the received order.”
Exceptions??: John Q Adams, Benjamin Harrison, George W Bush
Thus, each President’s narrative is based on their placement in “political time”
President’s Political Identity
Previously Established Commitments
Opposed
Affiliated
Vulnerable
Politics of Reconstruction
Politics of Disjunction
Resilient
Politics of Preemption
Politics of Articulation
Politics of Reconstruction – President is from opposition to the previously established regime. Repudiates existing commitments of ideology and interests. Leverages events by fashioning an expansive authority to remake government.
Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln, FDR, Reagan
Disjunction – President is affiliated with a set of established commitments that have been considered as failed or not relevant to existing challenges and events.
John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, Herbert Hoover, Jimmy Carter
Articulation – Established commitments of ideology and interest are resilient. They use political action to leverage existing resources, “demonstrating the vitality of the established order.” Challenge is dealing with factional issues within the establishment.
James Monroe, James Polk, Theodore Roosevelt, Lyndon Johnson,
George H W Bush
Preemption – These are opposition leaders within a resilient political order. They present a new agenda, attempt to play political divisions against each other, forging a middle ground. Tend to be disruptive to existing coalitions, sometimes leading to constitutional crisis.
John Tyler, Andrew Johnson, Woodrow Wilson, Richard Nixon,
Bill Clinton
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