KC Johnson

The nature of reform is that it produces political resistance–sometimes effectively so, and always requiring a reformist leader to adjust to unexpected setbacks. This seminar will examine the difficulties faced by reform-minded Presidents–and how they did (or did not) overcome them, with an eye toward better understanding the situation currently faced by Biden. As always, the seminar will end with 10-15 minutes of discussion of contemporary events, and a question-and-answer session.

March 30: FDR/Truman

April 13: LBJ

April 27: Carter

May 11: Clinton

May25: Obama

June 8: Biden