Overview
- Examines how presidents from Eisenhower to Obama handled the threat of contagious disease and what lessons can be learned from their responses
- Covers not just spontaneous disease outbreaks, but also the challenges that follow natural disasters when sanitation infrastructure has been damaged
- Presents an important study for those interested in the presidency, public health, and public administration
Part of the book series: The Evolving American Presidency (EAP)
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About this book
This book is an examination of the manner in which American presidents respond to pandemics and other public health crises. Skidmore argues that presidential performance in dealing with emergencies and pandemics varies, but those who are informed, focused, and confident that government can work are most likely to be successful. As an example, Gerald Ford’s “Swine Flu program” is widely derided as incompetent and politically motivated. Closer examination, however, suggests the contrary, demonstrating the potential of government to act quickly and effectively against public health emergencies, even when facing formidable obstacles. The American government has a mixed record ranging from excellent to unacceptable, even counterproductive, in dealing with emergency threats to life and health. Despite ideological arguments to the contrary, however, governments are important to effective responses, and in the American setting, presidential action is essential.
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Keywords
Table of contents (7 chapters)
Authors and Affiliations
About the author
Max J. Skidmore is Curators’ Professor of Political Science and Thomas Jefferson Fellow at University of Missouri-Kansas City, USA.
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Presidents, Pandemics, and Politics
Authors: Max J. Skidmore
Series Title: The Evolving American Presidency
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-59959-9
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan New York
eBook Packages: Political Science and International Studies, Political Science and International Studies (R0)
Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2016
Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-349-94992-2Published: 28 October 2016
Softcover ISBN: 978-1-349-95698-2Published: 23 June 2018
eBook ISBN: 978-1-137-59959-9Published: 11 October 2016
Series ISSN: 2945-6150
Series E-ISSN: 2945-6169
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: VII, 97
Topics: Public Policy, US Politics, Electoral Politics, Political History