The Politics of Competition: How Partisan Rivalry Shapes Presidential Use of Executive Orders

open_access
Open Access
Author:
Olear, Grace
Area of Honors:
Political Science
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Marie Hojnacki, Thesis Supervisor
Matthew Richard Golder, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
Competition
Executive Orders
Congress
President
Abstract:
This thesis examines the factors that influence presidential use of executive orders, with a particular focus on the role of partisan competition in Congress. Given the growing polarization and legislative gridlock in recent decades, the study hypothesizes that presidential use of executive orders, particularly policy-focused ones, increases when congressional seat margins are narrow and when government is divided. The research also uncovers the limited influence of mere party control between the president and Congress in recent presidencies, suggesting that other political and institutional factors may play a greater role. Drawing on existing literature and extending the work of Fine and Warber (2012), this research investigates how the dynamics of competition in Congress drive executive decision-making along with variables like divided government, ideological distance, and presidential advantage. Through a detailed analysis of total and specific types of executive orders issued by recent presidents, the study finds that policy executive orders are more likely to be issued during periods of heightened congressional competition. However, the analysis reveals some inconsistencies, such as the lack of support for the expected differences in executive orders issued when there is greater ideological distance between the president and Congress. While the study contributes to our understanding of the evolving nature of executive power in an increasingly polarized political landscape, it also suggests avenues for future research, including qualitative approaches like content analysis to capture the subtler dimensions of presidential strategies. Ultimately, this thesis offers a refined perspective on how partisan dynamics shape presidential actions and provides important insights into the broader implications of executive orders in modern governance.