Presidents, parties and the constitution of the people: Reconsidering the origins and development of the rhetorical executive
by West, Lee Christopher, Ph.D., RUTGERS THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY - NEW BRUNSWICK, 2008, 224 pages; 3359186

Abstract:

This dissertation research focuses on broad questions of democratic practice and institutional design by way of examining the origins and development of presidential rhetoric. I challenge some of the reigning assumptions about the rise of popular executive leadership in America by showing Twentieth Century practice not to be completely innovative, but to stem from the interest of the modern executive in a rhetorical defense of its interests, as anticipates in the executive theory of Machiavelli and Hobbes. I also make the argument for Twentieth Century continuity with earlier presidential behavior toward public opinion by a natural tension between constitutionalism and theories of partisanship that stretches from Bolingbroke to Jefferson, and beyond.

 
AdviserDaniel J. Tichenor
SchoolRUTGERS THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY - NEW BRUNSWICK
SourceDAI/A 70-06, p. , Jul 2009
Source TypeDissertation
SubjectsPolitical Science; Rhetoric
Publication Number3359186
Adobe PDF Access the complete dissertation:
 

» Find an electronic copy at your library.
  Use the link below to access a full citation record of this graduate work:
  http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl%3furl_ver=Z39.88-2004%26res_dat=xri:pqdiss%26rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation%26rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:3359186
  If your library subscribes to the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database, you may be entitled to a free electronic version of this graduate work. If not, you will have the option to purchase one, and access a 24 page preview for free (if available).

About ProQuest Dissertations & Theses
With over 2.3 million records, the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database is the most comprehensive collection of dissertations and theses in the world. It is the database of record for graduate research.

The database includes citations of graduate works ranging from the first U.S. dissertation, accepted in 1861, to those accepted as recently as last semester. Of the 2.3 million graduate works included in the database, ProQuest offers more than 1.9 million in full text formats. Of those, over 860,000 are available in PDF format. More than 60,000 dissertations and theses are added to the database each year.

If you have questions, please feel free to visit the ProQuest Web site - http://www.proquest.com - or call ProQuest Hotline Customer Support at 1-800-521-3042.