ABSTRACT
This chapter analyzes the historical practice of Clinton’s management of economic policy. Before proceeding to assess the policies, however, a word on the different political systems is warranted. In the US political system, presidents alone do not control outcomes. The Constitution separates power between the three discrete branches of government: the president (executive), the Congress (legislature), and the judiciary. Policy is principally developed within the executive and congressional branches. The judiciary can affect the legality of policy. Some scholars insist that all policy in the United States originates from the president (such as Kingdon and Mayhew, quoted in Campbell and Rockman 2000: 51), but, as we shall see with the case of the Congress elected in November 1994, this is not an accurate view.
