The american presidency a very short introduction delves into the constitutional roots of the american presidency to show how presidents face the challenges of governing within a system of separation of powers it reviews crucial themes including democratization of presidential elections transitioning into and organizing a presidency challenges in leading the permanent government making law and executing policy and reforming and changing the institution before considering future . The american presidency a very short introduction shows how assertive leaders such as andrew jackson theodore roosevelt and fdr enhanced the power of the presidency and how such factors as philosophy reagans anti communist conservatism the legacy of previous presidencies jimmy carter following watergate relations with congress and the impact of outside events have all influenced presidential authority the founders adopted the word president over governor and other alternatives . This item the american presidency a very short introduction very short introductions by charles o jones paperback 957 in stock ships from and sold by amazoncom. Very short introductions stresses the significance of split party control and narrow margins as encouraging greater executive power emphasizes the high expectations for presidents and the limits imposed by the separation of powers system adds analysis of electoral campaigns to include the 2008 economic crisis during the election. The second edition of this very short introduction focuses on the challenges facing american presidents in meeting the high expectations of the position in a separation of powers systemstresses the significance of split party control and narrow margins as encouraging greater executive power emphasizes the high expectations for president