We All Want a Revolution: Neustadt, New Institutionalism, and the Future of Presidency Research
The publication of Richard E. Neustadt's “Presidential Power” in 1960 revolutionized presidential studies—a revolution that continues today. Contrary to claims that his book “personalized” presidential studies, thus delaying research progress, scholars' efforts to grapple with Neustadt's teachings inspired some of the subfield's most significant and enduring research agendas. Many of Neustadt's most important insights, however, such as the link between information, institutions, and presidential decision making, have yet to receive the scrutiny they deserve. To take full advantage of the revolution that Neustadt started, scholars will need to avoid methodological parochialism and finger pointing and instead concentrate their efforts on putting the rest of Neustadt's claims to the test.