Tom Lansford & Douglas M. Brattebo 
Leadership and Legacy 
The Presidency of Barack Obama

Historic, intriguing, and important in so many ways, the Obama presidency will be studied by scholars and students for years to come. With the rise in hyperpartisanship, legislative gridlock, political dysfunction, ‚fake news, ‚ and other negative trends, it is imperative that academicians weigh in with a rigorous assessment of Obama’s presidency. This volume applies a variety of scholarly approaches to analyze the impact of Obama as a leader and policymaker. Scholars from disciplines such as political science, history, environmental science, economics, and communication come together to provide an interdisciplinary and wide-ranging appraisal of the president. Across the varied chapters, Obama’s leadership is central to understanding the success or failure of his policies and initiatives. The president’s decisions and actions are also assessed against the constraints and possibilities created by the modern US political system, rapid changes in technology and society, and shifting patterns in international relations. The result is a book that covers executive leadership, administration, domestic issues, foreign and national security policy, and more, to present a comprehensive review of the Obama legacy.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Introduction: Their Place in History


Robert P. Watson




Part I: Executive, Administrative, and Party Leadership



1. The Vice Presidency of Joe Biden


Richard M. Yon, Michael J. Ferro, and Jeremy Hunt



2. The Evolving Political Partnership of Barack Obama and Bill Clinton


Douglas M. Brattebo



3. Barack Obama’s Executive Orders


Raymond Frey



4. Obama, Party Leadership, and Domestic Elections


Tom Lansford



5. Michelle Obama’s First Ladyship


Elizabeth J. Natalle




Part II: Domestic Policy



6. Obama, Economic Recovery and Macroeconomic Policy


Paul Burton and Joseph J. St. Marie



7. The Affordable Care Act: Obama and the ACA—Innovation by Tradition


Max J. Skidmore



8. Obama and the Supreme Court


Sean J. Savage



9. Obama and Congress


Sean D. Foreman



10. The Obama Administration’s Approach to Disaster Response and Recovery


David Harms Holt and Casey Maugh Funderburk




Part III: Foreign and Security Policy



11. Obama and the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq


Robert J. Pauly Jr.



12. The Arab Spring and the Middle East


Wayne F. Lesperance Jr. and John M. Callahan



13. Obama’s Leadership in Addressing Climate Change


Wayne Law, Alanna Lecher, Jonathan Smith, and April Watson



14. China, Russia, and U.S. Primacy in World Affairs


William Keeton




Part IV: Conclusion



15. Barack Obama: The Post-Presidency


Michael J. Devine



Appendix A: Grading President Obama



Appendix B: Barack Obama Biography



Appendix C: The Obama Administration



Select Bibliography

About the Editors

About the Contributors

Index

Über den Autor

Tom Lansford is Professor of Political Science at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Douglas M. Brattebo is Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of the James A. Garfield Center for the Study of the Presidency at Hiram College.
Robert P. Watson is Distinguished Professor of American History and Director of Project Civitas at Lynn University.
Casey Maugh Funderburk is Vice Provost, Associate Professor of Communication Studies, Associate Director of Interdisciplinary Studies, and Director of the Speaking and Writing Center at the University of Southern Mississippi, Gulf Coast.