Cambridge University Press Thomas Jefferson and Executive Power

By revisiting Thomas Jefferson's understanding of executive power this book offers a new understanding of the origins of presidential power. Before Jefferson was elected president, he arrived at a way to resolve the tension between constitutionalism and executive power. Because his solution would preserve a strict interpretation of the Constitution as well as transform the precedents left by his Federalist predecessors, it provided an alternative to Alexander Hamilton's understanding of executive power. In fact, a more thorough account of Jefferson's political career suggests that Jefferson envisioned an executive that was powerful, or 'energetic', because it would be more explicitly attached to the majority will. Jefferson's Revolution of 1800, often portrayed as a reversal of the strong presidency, was itself premised on energy in the executive and was part of Jefferson's project to enable the Constitution to survive and even flourish in a world governed by necessity. Review "Jefferson was acutely sensitive to the potential, even inevitable, contradiction between the exercise of presidential power and respect for popular democracy. As president he attempted their reconciliation, simultaneously practicing and innovating a strikingly original theory of politics. In the process, as Jeremy D. Bailey thoroughly and convincingly demonstrates, Jefferson created one of the strongest and most enduring ideational bulwarks of the modern presidency." -Richard Bensel, Cornell University “In Thomas Jefferson and Executive Power, Jeremy Bailey challenges…the modern ‘scholarly consensus.’ Jefferson, according to Bailey, possessed and acted upon a coherent, comprehensive understanding of executive power that revolutionized the relationship of the presidency to American democracy…There is much going on here and much to learn. It requires close attention throughout to plumb the subtleties of Jefferson’s words and actions and to fully appreciate Bailey’s sensitive and nuanced interpretation. Readers will find it well worth the effort.” Joseph M. Bessette, Claremont McKenna College, Claremont Review of Books"Jeremy Bailey has crafted an original understanding of executive leadership in the thought and practice of Thomas Jefferson, locating that praxis as an integral element of Jeffersonian constitutionalism. In doing so, Bailey pushes past conventional paradoxical frames―a strict constitutionalist whose political ambition and opportunism undercut that same constitutionalism. What emerges instead is a fresh portrait of an iconic American political leader, one engaged in a coherent project to reconcile the conflicting requirements of discretionary action, popular consent, and fundamental law, one committed to realizing a unified vision of constitutional democratic leadership. Along the way, Bailey also manages to situate Jeffersonian era innovations within the line of historical predicates leading to the development of the modern presidency and its repertoire of signature practices and justifications. This book is engaging, well researched, and well written. In all, it stands as an important contribution to a vast literature, one that can be fruitfully read by students of presidential leadership, American political development, and American constitutional thought." -Scott C. James, University of California, Los Angeles"A powerful, shrewd, and original study of Jefferson’s idea of executive power, shown in theory and application. Jeremy Bailey covers the whole realm of the presidency in a book all students of American politics will want to read." -Harvey Mansfield, Harvard University"Jeremy Bailey’s important new book will transform our understanding of Jefferson’s presidency. By showing how Jefferson forged powerful new links between president and people and democratized prerogative powers, Bailey clarifies a complicated, confusing, and crucially important dimension of Jefferson’s career. Thomas Jefferson and Exe