Presidential Term Limits in American History: Power, Principles, and Politics (Joseph V. Hughes Jr. and Holly O. Hughes Series on the Presi) (Joseph ... Series on the Presidency and Leadership) - Softcover

Michael J. Korzi

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1603449914 ISBN 13: 9781603449915

Publisher: Texas A&M University Press, 2013

Synopsis

By successfully seeking a third term in 1940, Franklin D. Roosevelt shattered a tradition that was as old as the American republic. The longstanding yet controversial two-term tradition reflected serious tensions in American political values.<br><br>In <em>Presidential Term Limits in American History</em>, Michael J. Korzi recounts the history of the two-term tradition as well as the “perfect storm” that enabled Roosevelt to break with that tradition. He also shows that Roosevelt and his close supporters made critical errors of judgment in 1943-44, particularly in seeking a fourth term against long odds that the ill president would survive it. Korzi’s analysis offers a strong challenge to Roosevelt biographers who have generally whitewashed this aspect of his presidency and decision making. The case of Roosevelt points to both the drawbacks and the benefits of presidential term limits. Furthermore, Korzi’s extended consideration of the seldom-studied Twenty-second Amendment and its passage reveals not only vindictive and political motivations (it was unanimously supported by Republicans), but also a sincere distrust of executive power that dates back to America’s colonial and constitutional periods.

About this title

Review:

" . . . a competent book that will make an important contribution to presidential studies. It will quickly become the cited authority on the topic of presidential tenure."-David A. Crockett, author, Running against the Grain: How Opposition Presidents Win the White House and The Opposition Presidency: Leadership and the Constraints of History

"Korzi does a fine job of highlighting the main arguments surrounding presidential tenure. He is especially informative when dealing with FDR's decision to seek a fourth term (even though some close to the president believed his health problems would keep him from serving a full term) and the political implications of second-term presidents' being weak "lame ducks." Well written and compellingly argued, this important book makes a significant contribution to understanding presidential politics."--Choice

"Since 1951, and the passage of the Twenty-Second Amendment to the Constitution, presidents have been prevented from serving more than two terms in office. The 'two term tradition, ' established by George Washington and followed by all presidents until Franklin Roosevelt, became law when Republicans in Congress, smarting from FDR's four elections, amended the Constitution to "punish" FDR, and boost congressional power that had diminished in the aftermath of both the Great Depression and World War II. Korzi (Towson Univ.) does an excellent job of telling the tale of how term limits on presidents came about and the implications for democratic government. The book is largely historical in scope, and Korzi does a fine job of highlighting the main arguments surrounding presidential tenure. He is especially informative when dealing with FDR's decision to seek a fourth term (even though some close to the president believed his health problems would keep him from serving a full term) and the political implications of second-term presidents' being weak 'lame ducks.' Well written and compellingly argued, this important book makes a significant contribution to understanding presidential politics."--Choice

-- (08/17/2011)

"In a well-researched and exhaustive study of presidential term limits, Michael J. Korzi sheds new light on an area of the presidency that has all too often been overlooked. Presidential Term Limits not only provides an easily accessible history of presidential tenure debate in American history, but also offers rich analysis of the subject matter. Korzi does a wonderful job providing the origins, history, and assessment of the 22nd amendment. In sum, Korzi has written a valuable and thoughtful book on a key aspect of the presidency. His work is easily adaptable to a variety of courses and will become the standard source on presidential term limits for years to come."--Congress & the Presidency
-- (03/12/2013)

About the Author:

<strong>Michael J. Korzi</strong>’s articles have appeared in <em>Presidential Studies Quarterly, Polity,</em> and <em>Congress and the Presidency</em>. He is a professor of political science at Towson University in Towson, Maryland, USA.

About this edition

• Publisher: Texas A&M University Press
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1603449914
• ISBN 13: 9781603449915
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 192