The President as Statesman Woodrow Wilson and the Constitution Daniel D. Stid 240 pages, 6-1/8 x 9-1/4 American Political Thought Cloth ISBN 978-0-7006-0884-3, $35.00 A political scientist who went on to become president, Woodrow Wilson envisioned "responsible government," in which a strong leader and principled party would integrate the separate executive and legislative powers--but this ideal was constantly challenged by political reality. Daniel Stid explores Wilson's evolving views on the notion of "responsible government" and endeavors as a statesman to establish it in the United States. Stid graphically describes how Wilson grappled with the constitutional separation of powers, first as an academic and then as president, and he demonstrates the importance of Wilson's effort for American political thought and history. Although Wilson is generally viewed as an unstinting and effective opponent of the separation of powers, Stid reveals an ambivalent statesman who accommodated the Founders' logic. This book challenges both the traditional and revisionist views of Woodrow Wilson by documenting the moderation of his statesmanship and the resilience of the separation of powers. In doing so, it sheds new light on American political development from Wilson's day to our own. Throughout the twentieth century, political scientists and public officials have called for constitutional changes and political reforms that originally were proposed by Wilson. By reexamining the dilemmas of democratic statesmanship presented by Wilson, Stid invites a new consideration of both the expectations we place on the presidency and the possibilities of leadership in the Founders' system. The President as Statesman contributes significantly to ongoing debates over Wilson's legacy and raises important questions about the nature of presidential leadership at a time when this issue is at the forefront of public consciousness. "Stid shows convincingly how Wilson both attacked and adapted the American system of separation of powers. An original, intelligent book."--Harvey C. Mansfield, author of Taming the Prince "A valuable contribution to our understanding of the continuing importance of Wilson's political thought to explaining and improving our government."--Kendrick A. Clements, author of The Presidency of Woodrow Wilson "This book helps us think intelligently about the most pressing political challenges the country faces at the twilight of another century."--Sidney M. Milkis, author of The President and the Parties "This exceptionally fine study of statesmanship and the constitutional order will interest students of Wilson, of the presidency, and of American political development more generally."--Jeffrey Tulis, author of The Rhetorical Presidency "A book of genuine distinction. The most faithful rendering we have of the ambivalence, contradictions, and above all moderation of Wilson's conception of political leadership."--Richard J. Ellis, author of Presidential Lightning Rods and The Dark Side of the Left: Illiberal Egalitarianism in America "A fascinating study of Wilson's lifelong, unresolved tensions."--Louis Fisher, author of Presidential War Power and Constitutional Conflicts Between Congress and the President DANIEL D. STID is a management consultant in Boston. A former Rhodes Scholar and APSA Congressional Fellow, he previously taught at Wabash College.   Home | About the Press | Recent Awards | Contact Us | Order New Books: | By Author | By Subject | By Title | By Series Books in Print: | By Author | By Subject | By Title | By Series ©2007 University Press of Kansas 2502 Westbrooke Circle, Lawrence, KS 66045-4444 Phone (785) 864-4155; Fax (785) 864-4586