“Typing” the George W. Bush Presidency

Abstract

Controversy characterizes the George W. Bush presidency. Amid the clamor, just what type of president has George W. Bush been in practice? This paper inventories the presidential literature to come to a tentative assessment of Bush’s “type.” This paper examines the historical and institutional context of his presidency, his response to institutional challenges he has confronted, his governing style and personality type. Bush's efforts at conservative “regime construction” have been hampered by the intense partisan polarization resulting from his conduct of office. His managerial emphasis and aggressive assertion of Constitutional prerogatives has increased the institutional power of the presidency. His relations with Congress resemble “party government” found in parliamentary systems. Temperamentally, Bush resembles several of his most colorful and consequential predecessors, including Andrew Jackson, Lyndon Johnson, Franklin Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan. It is not too early to label Bush's presidency a quite consequential one.

Recommended Citation

Schier, Steven E. (2006) "“Typing” the George W. Bush Presidency," The Forum: Vol. 3 : Iss. 4, Article 3.
Available at: http://www.bepress.com/forum/vol3/iss4/art3