The politics of war powers : the theory & history of presidential unilateralism / Sarah Burns.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Burns, Sarah (Sarah Mackenzie), author.

Series:

American political thought

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Montesquieu, Charles de Secondat, baron de, 1689-1755--Criticism and interpretation.

Montesquieu, Charles de Secondat.

Montesquieu, Charles de Secondat, baron de, 1689-1755.

War and emergency powers--United States--History.

War and emergency powers.

Criticism and interpretation.

United States.

History.

Executive power--United States--History.

Executive power.

Separation of powers--United States--History.

Separation of powers.

Genre:

Criticism, interpretation, etc.

History.

Physical Description:

xiii, 314 pages ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

Lawrence, Kansas : University Press of Kansas, [2019]

Summary:

"Presidential war powers have greatly expanded over the last half-century as presidents increasingly initiate acts of war without the prior authorization of Congress and without facing serious consequences. The breakdown in the system of checks on executive power presents a constitutional problem, which has elicited significant scholarly attention in recent years. Sarah Burns looks to the theoretical roots of the separation of powers system in the writings of Montesquieu for guidance in addressing the current crisis. Montesquieu's complex moderate constitutionalism requires both the executive and legislative branches to make public arguments about war and compete for public approval. His argument for the necessity of the struggle between political branches leads to clearer checks on power and fewer rash military operations. The Politics of War Powers demonstrates the link between Montesquieuan and American government and argues that reintegrating Montesquieu's constitutionalism into American politics will provide a healthier model of interaction and dialogue between the President and Congress"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Montesquieu's constitutionalism

The critical period (1776-1787)

The debate between the federalists and the antifederalists

Washington, Jefferson, Madison : early debates over war powers

Junior varsity imperialism : Mexican-American War through the Spanish American War

The world wars

The Cold War

"The new world order"

Creating the Rerror presidency

The limited terror presidency.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780700628735

0700628738

OCLC:

1096346165