Evaluate the view that the biggest reason for recent presidents failing to achieve their aims has been divided government

(1) Point against my view

• Gridlock & Legislative Stalemate

• Divided govt, where the executive branch is controlled by one party and the legislative by another, often leads to gridlock and legislative stalemate. This can make it extremely challenging for presidents to push their agenda through Congress, resulting in failure to achieve their aims.

(1) Example for point against my view

• The For the People Act aimed to expand voting rights, reduce gerrymandering, and increase transparency in political donations. Despite passing the D-majority HofR on a party-line vote in both 2019 and 2021, it was blocked in the R-controlled Senate due to the filibuster, which requires a supermajority of 60 votes to advance legislation.

(1) Point for my view

• Internal Administration Issues

• Ineffective leadership, mismanagement, and internal conflicts within the administration can hinder a president's ability to achieve their aims. Poor coordination, communication breakdowns, and scandals can erode public confidence and political support, making it harder for the president to advance their agenda.

(1) Example for point for my view

• During Trump there was a turnover of 78% in the top 65 positions in the Executive Office of the President, which includes jobs like national security adviser and chief of staff.

• 31% of those White House "A-Team" jobs turned over more than once

(2) Point against my view

• Partisan Polarisation

• Divided government exacerbates partisan polarisation. With both parties often prioritising political gains over policy cooperation, there's little incentive for lawmakers to compromise. This makes it difficult for presidents to garner bipartisan support for their initiatives.

(2) Example for point against my view

• A study examining the entire history of Congress found that under divided control, Congress passes about 30% fewer significant bills compared to when the same party controls the House, Senate and presidency.

• Failure of Obama to get Garland on SC due to partisanship and divided govt

(2) Point for my view

• Economic Conditions

• Economic factors, such as recessions or economic downturns, can significantly impact a president's ability to achieve their aims. Poor economic conditions can diminish public support and make it harder for presidents to rally political capital to advance their agenda.

(2) Example for point for my view

• The COVID-19 pandemic presented a significant economic challenge for the Trump administration, leading to widespread job losses and economic uncertainty. The administration's handling of the pandemic contributed to public discontent and ultimately impacted Trump's reelection bid.

(3) Point against my view

• Impacts on Executive Orders and Administrative Actions

• Divided govt. can force presidents to rely more heavily on executive orders and administrative actions to advance their agenda. While these actions bypass Congress, they are often subject to legal challenges and can be easily reversed by future administrations. Thus, presidents may face limitations in achieving lasting policy changes through executive actions alone, especially in the face of congressional opposition

(3) Example for point against my view

• Executive Order 14034: This order revoked three executive orders issued by the Trump Administration that effectively banned certain Chinese connected software applications from operating in the United States.

(3) Point for my view

• International Events and Geopolitical Challenges

• Presidents are often confronted with unexpected international events and geopolitical challenges that divert attention and resources away from their domestic policy goals. These external factors can undermine a president's ability to focus on and achieve their domestic policy objectives.

(3) Evidence for point for my view

• The Biden administration has faced unexpected international events and geopolitical challenges, such as the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan and tensions with Russia and China. These crises have diverted attention and resources away from domestic policy priorities.