In his article “Presidential Power and Congressional Acquiescence in the ‘War’ on Terrorism: A New Constitutional Equilibrium?” John E. Owens of the University of Westminster suggests the existence of a new constitutional equilibrium between the President and Congress in America. He builds his thesis on Burnham’s punctuated equilibrium theory and analyzes Bush’s policy and his war on terrorism.
In this essay I will explain the main thesis of the punctuated equilibrium theory at first, to build on that basis the critical analysis whether the system of Checks and Balances in the United States is or has been out of work and whether we can truly speak of a change of system. This will be checked by analysing the constitution, the role of the Congress and the presidency of George W. Bush. In a second part of this essay I will take up the punctuated equilibrium theory again and explain that the equilibrium of the American system has been punctuated but it was not pushed on a new level, but levelled off again on the old equilibrium and re-established the system of Checks and Balances.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Punctuated Equilibrium Theory
3. The System of Checks and Balances out of Work?
3.1. The Constitution
3.2. The Congress and the President during the Administration of George W. Bush until 2006
3.2.1. The Congress
3.2.2. Imperial Presidency
3.3. Conclusion
4. Checking the Punctuated Equilibrium Theory after 2006
5. Sources
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This paper examines the evolution of the constitutional balance of power between the U.S. President and Congress in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, specifically evaluating John E. Owens' thesis of a "new constitutional equilibrium" through a critical analysis of the George W. Bush administration and subsequent political developments.
- Analysis of Burnham's punctuated equilibrium theory in the context of external shocks.
- Evaluation of the U.S. system of Checks and Balances and its operational efficacy.
- Examination of the "Imperial Presidency" phenomenon during the Bush administration.
- Assessment of Congressional roles and the impact of the "War on Terrorism."
- Comparative review of post-2006 political dynamics and the restoration of institutional balance.
Excerpt from the Book
3.2.2. Imperial Presidency
The decisive point from which on Bush’s presidency was often called “imperial presidency” was the terrorist attacks on 9/11 in 2001. From this date Bush had nearly unanimous public support. All attention was on him and approval ratings for the President shot into unprecedented levels (Owens 2006: 288). This of course caused also enormous support for the President from the Congress, so Bush knew the whole nation behind him and what is more, the whole nation expected the President to lead it through this crisis. So there is, always in times of crisis, a common recognition that the president must provide national leadership in such situations. Consequently one could say the nation itself shifted the focus on its President and opened him up the way for his “imperial presidency”.
“Imperial Presidency”, originally brought into the debate by the Progressive historian Arthur Schlesinger Jr., means the development of modern America toward unbridled presidentialism (Skowronek 2008: 150). We can take this thesis and apply it to the Bush Administration. Bush saw himself in a position of unbridled power and public support and developed enormous self-confidence or the self-confidence he already had even intensified. This gets obvious when we have a look at how he pictured himself and his position.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The introduction outlines the central focus on John E. Owens' thesis regarding a new constitutional equilibrium and sets the stage for a critical analysis of American governance post-9/11.
2. Punctuated Equilibrium Theory: This chapter defines Burnham’s theory as a framework for understanding how systemic external shocks create opportunities for state action and shifts in equilibrium.
3. The System of Checks and Balances out of Work?: This chapter investigates the constitutional design intended to limit power and explores how the Executive and Legislative branches function in practice.
3.1. The Constitution: This section discusses the intentional ambiguity of the U.S. Constitution and how it facilitates a persistent power struggle between the President and Congress.
3.2. The Congress and the President during the Administration of George W. Bush until 2006: This section highlights the massive political impact of 9/11 on the executive-legislative relationship.
3.2.1. The Congress: This section identifies the structural and organizational weaknesses that hinder the Congress in competing effectively with the President.
3.2.2. Imperial Presidency: This section explores how the "War on Terror" enabled a form of unbridled presidential power, often described as an "imperial presidency."
3.3. Conclusion: This chapter concludes that while Bush's presidency temporarily bypassed traditional checks, it was effectively a state of emergency rather than a permanent structural change.
4. Checking the Punctuated Equilibrium Theory after 2006: This chapter reviews whether the observed shifts in power persisted beyond the Bush administration, ultimately arguing that the system reverted to its previous equilibrium.
5. Sources: A compilation of the scholarly works and literature utilized to support the analysis.
Keywords
Presidential Power, Congress, Checks and Balances, 9/11, War on Terror, George W. Bush, Imperial Presidency, Punctuated Equilibrium Theory, Constitution, Executive Branch, Legislative Branch, Constitutional Equilibrium, Political Science, American Government, Democracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper examines the relationship between the U.S. President and Congress, specifically investigating whether the "War on Terror" permanently altered the constitutional balance of power.
What are the primary thematic areas explored?
The themes include the constitutional framework of American government, the theory of punctuated equilibrium, the concept of an "imperial presidency," and the historical tension between the Legislative and Executive branches.
What is the central research question?
The author questions whether the shift in power toward the Executive branch during the Bush administration constituted a "new constitutional equilibrium" or merely a temporary state of emergency.
What scientific methodology is applied?
The work employs a qualitative political science analysis, testing John E. Owens’ application of Burnham’s punctuated equilibrium theory against historical political events from 2001 to 2010.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body covers the analysis of the Constitution, the structural weaknesses of Congress, the specific expansion of power during the Bush administration, and the subsequent normalization of power during the Obama administration.
Which keywords best describe the document?
Key terms include Presidential Power, Imperial Presidency, Checks and Balances, Punctuated Equilibrium Theory, and the War on Terror.
How does the author define the "Imperial Presidency"?
The author uses the term—originally coined by Arthur Schlesinger Jr.—to describe a development toward unbridled presidentialism, characterized by the President acting without seeking Congressional oversight or consensus.
What is the author's conclusion regarding the current balance of power?
The author concludes that the system of Checks and Balances has re-established itself, suggesting that the "new equilibrium" was a transient state of emergency rather than a permanent institutional transformation.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Sarah Wenzel (Autor:in), 2012, Presidential Power and Congressional Acquiescence in the "War" on Terrorism, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/471471
