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by Michelle H. Belco (Author)
The use of directives is as a valuable tool of the administrative presidency. Less is known however about their use within the United States political system of separate and shared powers where presidents do not act alone. Their directives may be in lieu of legislation or a request to Congress for support while the Supreme Court, through their decisions may help or hinder executive action. Meanwhile, within their own separate institution, presidents must rely on the federal bureaucracy to carry out their orders. This book explores the use of directives to shape race policy within this framework. Principally, this book systematically examines the use of race-related presidential directives - executive orders, memoranda, and proclamations - from Presidents Nixon to Biden and finds that presidents of both parties share more similarities than differences. The expansive time frame of this book provides an opportunity to consider the origins of presidential policy on race to the Supreme Court's decision to end affirmative action in higher education which signaled the need for a significant shift in race policy moving forward.
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Presidential directives are a valuable tool for executive policymaking. Acting administratively, they are an exercise of executive power where presidents seem to be acting alone but, on reflection, may not be acting in isolation. Their directives may be an appeal to Congress for support or issued in lieu of legislation. At times, the decisions of the Supreme Court may help or hinder executive action. Meanwhile, within their own separate institution, presidents must rely on the federal bureaucracy to carry out their orders. This book systematically examines the use of presidential directives - executive orders, memoranda, and proclamations - to shape race policy. It uses a mixed-methods approach to analysing presidential directives from Presidents Nixon to Biden within this distinct policy area. By exploring the use of presidential directives, this book reveals the contributions of each president as well as the similarities and differences between them. The expansive time frame of this book provides an opportunity to investigate the origins of presidential policy on race to the Supreme Court's decision to end affirmative action in higher education which marked a significant shift in race policy moving forward.
Michelle Belco's latest book provides the most comprehensive study about how presidents use unilateral directives to shape race policy during the modern presidency. This impressive book is a welcome addition for scholars of the American presidency, minority politics, and public policy.
-Adam L. Warber, Clemson University.
Michelle H. Belco, J.D., Ph.D., is a Senior Lecturer in Political Science at the University of Houston Honors College.Author Biography
Michelle H. Belco is a Senior Lecturer in Political Science at the University of Houston Honors College.
