Policy, Polarization C

This collection examines the foreign and domestic policies of President George W Bush's administration. The analysis begins with an account of how highly polarized--in terms of public opinion and electoral patterns--this presidency has proved to be. This is followed by chapters on the use of unilateral executive powers and pre-rogative powers. Because the policy choices of the Bush presidency have had such fundamental effects both in domestic policy and in US foreign policy, three contributors then address the processes of decision making especially in respect to the war against Iraq. How the administration governs by a recurring process of campaigning is examined in chapters on public opinion and war, the promotional presidency, mobilizing congressional support for war and the White House communications system. Finally the way in which the Bush White House relates to congress and the process of building congressional coalitions to enact laws is the subject of chapters on "executive style" of this administration and the failure to reform social security. It will be essential reading for anyone wishing to understand one of the most controversial administrations in recent years.