The Policy-Driven Political Style of James K. Polk
The Policy-Driven Political Style of James K. Polk
This chapter assesses the strengths and weaknesses of James K. Polk, focusing on six realms: public communication, organizational capacity, political skill, policy vision, cognitive style, and emotional intelligence. Polk, has been called the only strong chief executive between Andrew Jackson and Abraham Lincoln. Polk also ranks near the top in the perennial polls on greatness in the White House. On the day of his inauguration, Polk declared that his administration would advance “four great measures”: division with Great Britain of the jointly administered Oregon Territory, acquisition of California, tariff reduction, and passage of a measure requiring the government to keep its funds in its own vaults instead of in state and private banks. Polk accomplished all this and more in a single four-year term. Despite his accomplishments, Polk lacked foresight. This was particularly evident in his inability to foresee that his territorial acquisitions would trigger a spiral of controversy that was to come to a head in the Civil War.
Keywords: Oregon Territory, tariff reduction, California purchase, American presidents, public communication, organizational capacity, political skill, policy vision, cognitive style, emotional intelligence
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