Thomas Jefferson and Executive PowerBy revisiting Thomas Jefferson's understanding of executive power this book offers a new understanding of the origins of presidential power. Before Jefferson was elected president, he arrived at a way to resolve the tension between constitutionalism and executive power. Because his solution would preserve a strict interpretation of the Constitution as well as transform the precedents left by his Federalist predecessors, it provided an alternative to Alexander Hamilton's understanding of executive power. In fact, a more thorough account of Jefferson's political career suggests that Jefferson envisioned an executive that was powerful, or 'energetic', because it would be more explicitly attached to the majority will. Jefferson's Revolution of 1800, often portrayed as a reversal of the strong presidency, was itself premised on energy in the executive and was part of Jefferson's project to enable the Constitution to survive and even flourish in a world governed by necessity. |
From inside the book
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Page 1
... Thomas Jefferson, 3 July 1813 Mr. Jefferson appears to me to be a man who will embody himself with the house of representatives. By weakoning the office of President he will increase his personal power. John Marshall to Alexander ...
... Thomas Jefferson, 3 July 1813 Mr. Jefferson appears to me to be a man who will embody himself with the house of representatives. By weakoning the office of President he will increase his personal power. John Marshall to Alexander ...
Page 2
... Jefferson has been remembered by admirers and critics alike as preferring a weak execu- tive, and partisans of feebleness do not make good subjects for studies of the presidency. To the extent that ... Thomas Jefferson and Executive Power.
... Jefferson has been remembered by admirers and critics alike as preferring a weak execu- tive, and partisans of feebleness do not make good subjects for studies of the presidency. To the extent that ... Thomas Jefferson and Executive Power.
Page 3
... Jefferson's party leader- ship by considering Jefferson's skill at the political art of persuasion, and as a result have confounded John Adams's prediction that future politicians would find Jefferson's methods shortsighted.8 Others ...
... Jefferson's party leader- ship by considering Jefferson's skill at the political art of persuasion, and as a result have confounded John Adams's prediction that future politicians would find Jefferson's methods shortsighted.8 Others ...
Page 4
... Jefferson and the presidency is terribly wrong . If Jefferson was , as Hamilton reported , for a strong executive in the early 1790s , that is , if Jefferson eagerly embraced presidential power rather ... Thomas Jefferson and Executive Power.
... Jefferson and the presidency is terribly wrong . If Jefferson was , as Hamilton reported , for a strong executive in the early 1790s , that is , if Jefferson eagerly embraced presidential power rather ... Thomas Jefferson and Executive Power.
Page 6
... Jefferson's accidental victory transformed the constitutional presidency into the democratic presidency. Ackerman is right to notice that the debate over the resolution of 1800 changed the way that ... Thomas Jefferson and Executive Power.
... Jefferson's accidental victory transformed the constitutional presidency into the democratic presidency. Ackerman is right to notice that the debate over the resolution of 1800 changed the way that ... Thomas Jefferson and Executive Power.
Contents
10 | |
Section 2 | 24 |
Section 3 | 28 |
Section 4 | 44 |
Section 5 | 65 |
Section 6 | 79 |
Section 7 | 101 |
Section 8 | 102 |
Section 15 | 151 |
Section 16 | 171 |
Section 17 | 173 |
Section 18 | 187 |
Section 19 | 188 |
Section 20 | 189 |
Section 21 | 195 |
Section 22 | 225 |
Section 9 | 105 |
Section 10 | 113 |
Section 11 | 120 |
Section 12 | 130 |
Section 13 | 132 |
Section 14 | 149 |
Section 23 | 230 |
Section 24 | 232 |
Section 25 | 237 |
Section 26 | 247 |
Section 27 | 259 |
Section 28 | 262 |
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Common terms and phrases
action administration American appeal appointment argued argument authority bill of rights Bruce Ackerman Burr cabinet citizens Colvin Congress considered constitutionality council debate declarations of principle defense democratic doctrine draft duty election election of 1800 executive discretion executive power executive prerogative Federalist Ford Gallatin governor Hamilton House Ibid impressed horses inaugural address James January Jeffer Jefferson believed Jefferson explained Jefferson to John Jefferson to Madison John Adams John Locke judge legislative legislature letter Library of America Lincoln Louisiana Purchase Madison to Jefferson majority Malone meant ment military militia necessity Neutrality Proclamation Notes oath offered partisan party political prerogative power presidential power presidential selection proclamation public opinion question ratified removal power reply Republicans Revolution of 1800 Second Inaugural Senate Special Message strict construction territory Thomas Jefferson tion treaty Twelfth Amendment understanding of executive University Press vice president Virginia Constitution vote Washington Wilkinson York