| Presidential Party Building: Dwight D. Eisenhower to George W. Bush Subjects: Political parties -- United States -- History -- 20th century; Political leadership -- United States -- History -- 20th century; Presidents -- United States -- History -- 20th century; United States -- Politics and government -- 1945-1989; Eisenhower Dwi; Modern presidents are usually depicted as party "predators" who neglect their parties, exploit them for personal advantage, or undercut their organizational capacities. Challenging this view, Presidential Party Building demonstrates that every Republican president since Dwight D. Eisenhower worked to build his party into a more durable political organization while every Democratic president refused to do the same. Yet whether they supported their party or stood in its way, each president contributed to the distinctive organizational trajectories taken by the two parties in the modern era. Daniel J. Galvin is assistant professor of political science at Northwestern University. |