Presidential Power: Theories and Dilemmas by John P. Burke
| Published date | 01 March 2018 |
| Date | 01 March 2018 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0020702018754549 |
| Subject Matter | Book Reviews |
the programmes had they fundamentally disagreed with them. Was it then a result
of the operation of the troika? Again, Blustein’s evidence brings out examples of
where the troika adopted IMF views against the initial thinking of the Europeans.
Was it a problem of having a European managing director? Again, the author
shows how both Dominique Strauss-Kahn and Christine Lagarde fought to
change European views at times. It is not demonstrably clear that these IMF
governance failings led to the programme failures.
Another key governance issue forcefully brought out in the book was the lack of
transparency by staff in attempting to sneak through the executive board a funda-
mental change to the Fund’s framework for granting ‘‘exceptional access’’ to its
resources. As their proposed programme for Greece did not qualify under the
existing policy, staff proposed to change the policy to allow for exceptions when
broader ‘‘systemic’’ issues were in play. What, in my view, was at issue here was not
so much the exception, on which views differ, but rather the blatant disregard for
transparency on the part of staff and management. The proposed change was
discovered, almost accidently, during the discussion at the executive board.
Overall, despite the book’s title suggesting the IMF was made subservient to
European views, Blustein’s study presents a nuanced picture. It identifies the
Fund’s failings, but also brings out its strengths. It underlines the complexity of
the broader financial stability concerns that existed at the time; it highlights the
challenges of a variety of institutions working together; and it underscores the
important governance challenges facing the IMF. In sum, the book provides
future examinations of these issues with much to consider.
John P. Burke
Presidential Power: Theories and Dilemmas
Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 2016. 270 pp. $45.50 (paperback)
ISBN: 978-0-8133-4967-1
Reviewed by: Dubi Kanengisser (dubikan@gmail.com), independent researcher
Donald Trump’s inauguration in January 2017 as president of the United States of
America marked the beginning of what may well be the most extraordinary admin-
istration in recent US history. Trump’s surprise win, combined with his unpredict-
able nature and unconventional style, are bound to keep the international
community on edge for the next four years. Presidential Power, by John P.
Burke, professor of political science at the University of Vermont, offers an over-
view of the literature on the powers of the US presidency and the forces that enable
or restrict it, and is therefore a timely contribution.
First and foremost, Burke’s book updates Richard E. Neustadt’s seminal
Presidential Power, the first edition of which was published in 1960, and which
was periodically updated by the author until its sixth and final edition in 1990.
Neustadt’s book argued that the constitutional powers granted to presidents were
severely limited, making chief executives who restricted themselves to them mere
176 International Journal 73(1)
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