Presidential Greatness

1564 Words4 Pages

Ranking presidential greatness is a process, which is largely based upon opinion and personal judgment. With any ranking system, whether based on subjective or objective criteria, judgment and opinion is required to determine which factors best serve as indicators or measurements of greatness. While opinion serves as a major part of the decision-making process, a factual framework is also intrinsic to the process of ranking presidential greatness. This framework serves as the basis on which comparisons are made and can include factors such as those related to historical events, presidential accomplishments, presidential performance, personal characteristics, etc. The central focus of the paper is to discuss presidential greatness. I will begin by examining the American public's general conception of presidential greatness and their apparent views regarding the subject. In the second half of the discussion, I will examine how scholars have attempted attempt to define greatness and rank presidents; I will also include my analysis and criticism their arguments. The subsequent focus of this paper is to present my own definition of presidential greatness and the categorization and ranking processes that I have devised. I will conclude by presenting the president who according to my definition qualifies as the greatest president. Poll data seems to suggest that in general public's evaluation presidential greatness is shortsighted. When asked to identify whom they considered the greatest president, over 53% voted for a president whose term in office occurred after the latter half of the 20th century. Of the 17 presidents who received votes, 11 had served after 1950 and only four served prior to 1900. At the top of the list was Ron... ... middle of paper ... ... "Discovering Greatness in Lyndon Johnson." The New York Times. 05 Dec. 1999. Web. 30 Apr. 2011. . Newport, Frank. "Americans Say Reagan Is the Greatest U.S. President." Gallup.Com - Daily News, Polls, Public Opinion on Government, Politics, Economics, Management. 18 Feb. 2011. Web. 27 Apr. 2011. . Pfiffner, James P. "“Ranking the Presidents: Continuity and Volatility." White House Studies 3.1 (2003): 27-42. Gunston.gmu.edu. Web. 29 Apr. 2011. . Schlesinger, Jr, Arthur M. "Rating the Presidents: Washington to Clinton." Political Science Quarterly 112.2 (1997): 179-90. JSTOR. Web. 28 Apr. 2011. .

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