Ezra's Bookshelf

The Rhetorical Presidency

by Jeffrey K. Tulis · 264 pages · ~5 hrs

Politics & GovernmentHistory

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Jeffrey Tulis's 'The Rhetorical Presidency' fundamentally changed how scholars understand the evolution of the American executive. Tulis argues that the presidency underwent a profound transformation in the early twentieth century, shifting from an office that communicated primarily through official documents and intermediaries to one that appeals directly to the public through speeches, press conferences, and media appearances. This change, which Tulis traces primarily to Woodrow Wilson, represented not just a stylistic shift but a reconception of the president's constitutional role. The founders designed a system where the president would execute laws made by Congress, but the rhetorical presidency positions the executive as the direct voice of the people, using public opinion to pressure Congress. Tulis examines this transformation with both historical depth and theoretical sophistication, drawing on the Federalist Papers and nineteenth-century practice to show how different the original conception was. He also analyzes the dangers of rhetorical governance, including the temptation to simplify complex issues for popular consumption and the difficulty of deliberating carefully when every statement is a public performance. While the book focuses on historical development, its analysis helps explain contemporary phenomena from permanent campaigning to Twitter diplomacy. Readers interested in the presidency will find an indispensable framework for understanding its modern form.

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