Contextualizing Presidential Power in Mid-17th Century England

Abstract

John Yoo began his argument that only congressional control over President's commander in chief authority is a refusal to appropriate funds by looking at 18th century. In his book Against Throne and Altar: Machiavelli and Political Theory under English Republic Paul Rahe argues that English republican thinking of mid 17th century left its classical roots behind. And Steven Pincus sees 1688 as first modern revolution diminishing relevance of constitutional debates of Caroline and Cromwellian periods. My claim is that Yoo and Pincus start their studies too late; and Rahe in a sense starts his too early. As a result they exaggerate role of executive, and understate role of legislature, and the people.