Arthur Schlesinger, in 1974, described the USA as an 'imperial presidency', implying absolute power of the executive branch.
Whether this notion holds true is arguable. However, it is easy to see why he would be inclined to make that judgement.
With time, the executive branch, meaning essentially the president, has risen over the judiciary and the legislative branches of the government.
What changes in the political situation of the USA and in a wider context led to this turning to greater executive power?
This view would imply that the modern executive branch of the USA has exceeded its constitution limits. Historically, the authority to declare war stood with the congress but over the years, as Heywood suggests, the propulsion of USA into war by President Johnson and Nixon shows the weakening of the judiciary and the legislative branches to constrain the president.
Again, it could be said that the term ‘imperial presidency’ is a bit unfair given the role of the USA as a world power and the changing global political scenario, in which it finds itself in.
Whatever may be the case, it is hard to deny the imperial like behaviour of the USA.
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