The Perception of Failure There is a growing belief that government is no longer capable of delivering meaningful results. This perception is widespread, cutting across political affiliations and policy debates. Yet the reality is more complex. Government is not inactive. It continues to pass legislation, fund programs and implement policies. But the pace and visibility…

The Myth of Presidential Control There is a persistent belief in American political life that leadership, at its highest level, is decisive and capable of overcoming almost any obstacle. The presidency, in particular, is often treated as the center of national problem-solving—a single office expected to deliver solutions across an increasingly complex range of challenges….

There is a quiet assumption embedded in American political life, so familiar that it rarely receives scrutiny. It is the belief that the presidency is not only the most powerful office in the country, but also the central mechanism through which national problems are solved. When housing becomes unaffordable, when infrastructure falters, when prices rise…