Title
The Dim Light of History
The Study of Presidential Power

Abstract

This chapter introduces the book, describing its outline and reviewing its central findings. It also establishes three important points. First, it describes how making a difference, properly using the opportunity to make history, motivates presidents. Second, it underscores the necessity of analyzing process - how decision-makers interact - in evaluating effectiveness. Third, it describes how focusing on a single administration produces a wealth of data for analysis - in hundreds of recorded meetings and phone conversations, in thousands of incidents of administration bargaining. (12 pages)


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