From President To King, Imperial Presidency and Schlesinger

Forums: Schlesinger, Trump, Nixon, History
Email this Topic • Print this Page

A number of years ago, Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr., Historian and Aide to the late President John F. Kennedy indicated in his book The Imperial Presidency (1973 Houghton Mifflin), that he felt then President Nixon was in fact a representation of "the culmination of a trend towards absolutist power".

He indicated how Nixon's actions had elevated him (for many) to a place above the Presidency and were bringing him to a Kingly status.

It is known that Nixon did not become King. He resigned. A few of his successors moved upward to Kingly status. Whatever they said was merrily applauded by throngs of admirers and adulators.

The latest example being Donald Trump.
Which led to an attempted coup. So far thwarted.

Was Schlesinger correct? Just a bit early as to which darling of the citizens would succeed?

Topic Stats
Top Replies
Link to this Topic

Type: Discussion • Score: 0 • Views: 1,943 • Replies: 3

[+3] - izzythepush - 01/07/2021Power corrupts, one thing that stopped any talk of parliamentary reform over here was Tony Blairâ��s huge majority in 1997. He could pretty much do what he wanted and not bother with...

@Sturgis,

Power corrupts, one thing that stopped any talk of parliamentary reform over here was Tony Blair’s huge majority in 1997.

He could pretty much do what he wanted and not bother with parliamentary oversight because everything would just be rushed through. He became more presidential, more dictatorial.

Over here the concept of a monarch doesn’t denote authoritarianism, we’ve got Liz. She does what she’s told, her power is very small. It’s presidents who wield unchecked power, like those in former Soviet republics.

1 Reply

@izzythepush,

True. Unfortunately true.

1 Reply

@Sturgis,

Of the real authoritarian monarchies still going we’re friends with all of them, Gulf Arabs, Sultan of Brunei, King of Eswantini, formerly Swaziland.

So much for being anti monarchical.

0 Replies

Forums
» From President To King, Imperial Presidency and Schlesinger

Read Discussion
Reply to All

From President To King, Imperial Presidency and Schlesinger

Quick Links

My Account

able2know