The Presidency Reappraised, edited by Rexford G. Tugwell and Thomas E. Cronin

TRACK-COVERING

There is ample evidence that the Founding Fathers, from the very beginning, conceived of the American Presidency as a form of elective monarchy. There was every reason for them to do so. The neo-European concept articulated by Alexander Hamilton was attractive, compellingly so. Monarchy was the dominant pattern of the political backdrop; eighteenth century polities were either monarchies or failures, and the Fathers were nothing if not success-oriented. Their legacy was the American Dream. There was also the dominant political personality of the moment. George Washington was a man whose democratic appetites were easily sated. His instinct was to govern, not to advise, not to consent. By the end of his term the notion that the American President would be a high-level clerk executing congressional orders had disappeared from all but the “irresponsible” literature.

About the Author

Neal B. Freeman

Neal B. Freeman, businessman and journalist, was a director of National Review Inc. for 38 years.

TRACK-COVERING

There is ample evidence that the Founding Fathers, from the very beginning, conceived of the American Presidency as a form of elective monarchy. There was every reason for them to do so. The neo-European concept articulated by Alexander Hamilton was attractive, compellingly so. Monarchy was the dominant pattern of the political backdrop; eighteenth century polities were either monarchies or failures, and the Fathers were nothing if not success-oriented. Their legacy was the American Dream. There was also the dominant political personality of the moment. George Washington was a man whose democratic appetites were easily sated. His instinct was to govern, not to advise, not to consent. By the end of his term the notion that the American President would be a high-level clerk executing congressional orders had disappeared from all but the “irresponsible” literature.