The Imperial Presidency
Journal: World Policy Journal
Year: 2013

Photo: AP Photo/RIA-Novosti, Alexei Druzhinin, Government Press ServiceThere was a time, in the not-too-distant past, when the Office of the President carried with it all but unprecedented powers. Not unlike the great emperors of old, a president could launch wars, proclaim peace, even change the course of history. In a democracy or an oligarchy, in political systems far removed in every other respect from the traditional dictatorship, presidents still wielded all but unfettered power. No longer