Authority & Power in American Government

Paper Summary:

The paper shows how increasing national authority and the development of presidential power have at times complemented one another, yet at others have contradicted one another. The paper traces the history of authority in the American system and relates how this power has risen increasingly over the years and the resulting conflict between the two processes.

From the Paper:

"Ultimately, it is clear that national authority and presidential power have a tenuous but lasting relationship. As the United States has developed economically, socially, and politically, the need for a strong central government has intensified. As a result, national authority has strengthened, taking by legal means significant amounts of power away from state and local governments. Similarly, as the national authority increases, the power available for the President to assume increases proportionally, sometimes with dramatic results. The Founding Fathers, were they alive today, may not be comfortable with the extremely centralized power structure that defines our federal government. However, the United States of America, in spite of its transformations, continues to be the longest standing democracy in the world. In this, perhaps true power lies with the people after all."

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