Presidential power : unchecked and unbalanced / Matthew Crenson and Benjamin Ginsberg.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 369-413) and index.

A new history and evaluation of the "imperial presidency." Recent presidents have exploited the power of the American presidency more fully than their predecessors--and with greater consequence than the framers of the Constitution anticipated. This book, in the tradition of Arthur Schlesinger's 1973 Imperial Presidency, explores how American presidents--especially those of the past three decades--have increased the power of the presidency at the expense of democracy. Crenson and Ginsberg provide a history of this trend, showing that the expansion of presidential power dates back over one hundred years. They also look beyond the president's actions in the realm of foreign policy to consider other, more hidden, means that presidents have used to institutionalize the power of the executive branch.--From publisher description.

From republican government to presidentialism -- Choosing presidents -- War and peace and parties -- From normalcy to primacy -- Making the president imperial -- Presidential war powers -- Congressional government : its rise and fall -- How the courts reinforce presidential power -- Conclusion: upsizing the presidency and downsizing democracy.