Reviews
"The authors of the chapters in this book show the complexity of the presidential roles in civil rights policy... This book will be of intrest to academics and professionals who are interested in presidental roles in civil right policy. The book does make it possible for the interested reader to get a more in-depth understanding of the presidential role in this important policy arena." The Journal of Intergroup Relations, "Shull's earlier studies in presidential policy-making are supplemented by the present volume on the role of the president in civil rights policy formation and implementation. The author uses a five-stage analysis of the policy-making process--agenda setting, formulation, modification-adoption, implementation, evaluation--to pursue several themes. One is a comparative policy-making study of the leadership roles of recent presidents, from Truman on. Tied to this is an examination of presidential leadership itself, and the allied question about the kind of policy changes, if any, presidents are able to achieve. The book also supplies useful suggestions about research methods for policy-making studies. Finally, Shull provides information about the roles of the legislature, the courts, the bureaucracy, and public opinion/interest groups in the development of policy. Unsurprisingly, the author concludes that presidents do make a difference in leadership and change, but that different presidents make different kinds of difference, the strongest contrasts being between Johnson and Reagan. Strong on guides to information . . . will be of greater use to advanced researchers than to beginning students." Choice, "An historical examination of the interrelations of the US president and other participants in civil rights policymaking, from agenda setting, through implementation and reviewing policy impact. Some presidents, such as Lyndon Johnson, have initiated civil rights policies, whereas others, such as Ronald Reagan, have acted to restrict the government's role and have turned back the civil rights clock. The main thrust of the volume is that committed presidents lead, and without leadership, little change in policy occurs." HRI Reporter
