Reagan Reorders the Political Regime: A Historical–Institutional Approach to Analysis of Change

摘要: The Reconstructive Conundrum continued viability of reconstructive presidential leadership is in doubt. It has become progressively harder for even contextually well-placed presidents to employ the order shattering and creating style historically associated with (Balkin 2014; Skowronek 1997). This recent development an artifact welfare state general thickening institutional environment that trails its wake. These impediments have already hindered president's ability respond enervated conditions. Debate still rages, but according many, stance being rendered impotent 2012; Crockett 2011; Eberly 2010; Schier 1997, 2011,2014). Yet, as historical-institutionalist scholars James Mahoney Kathleen Thelen (2010) persuasively argue, political actors more ways affect change than just ripping out replacing--or displacing--institutions. In fact, within affords defenders status quo strong veto possibilities, it also possible layer institutions or allow them drift. Also possible, when holders' power low discretion exploit ambiguities high, conversion modality. thus may be modern, environmentally constrained context successfully reorder institutions. Their success would, however, require reliance upon different means (than those stressed by Skowronek) achieve same ends. Computer simulation, empowered historical--institutioinal theory employing Polya's urn model calculate effects, suggests much (Nichols 2014). Indeed, this work concludes modern need utilize all methods together I refer a multiple modalities strategy (MMCS). fact remains, Thelen's never been brought bear on case study analysis presidency. therefore unknown whether actually employed MMCS overcome If they not, new remains abstract possibility, utility analytical approach unconfirmed. However, opposite true if found used practice. Two important propositions gain support. First, alternate possibilities do exist. Second, analytic presidentially led illuminative. To both fill gaps explore theoretical article proceeds three stages. enables intersecting theories two literatures. starts overview Skowronek's regime (1997, 2011) extension second-wave scholars. (1) Here attention given unique contextual opportunity recurrently face newly emergent problem reordering context. Then reviewed (Mahoney 2010). four are discussed separately (as part overarching strategy). A emerges. applied interpretive analysis. Ronald Reagan's budget battles 1981 examined. Investigation determine his well-known successes can translated into conceptual framework. Results suggest Reagan did, ingeniously under He practiced traditional shattering/order modality had increasingly difficult deploy. …