The Rise of Informal Presidential Power in the 21st Century

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In recent decades, the informal power of American presidents has grown alongside their formal powers, shaping both their ability to govern and the expectations of the public. Informal power refers to the influence that a president can wield without being explicitly granted by law or tradition, often through personal charisma, persuasive rhetoric, media savvy, or executive discretion. Unlike formal power, which is constrained by checks and balances, informal power can be more fluid, adaptive, and potentially dangerous to democracy if abused.

The rise of informal presidential power in the 21st century reflects several interrelated trends. One is the increasing polarization and gridlock in Congress, which has made it harder for presidents to pass legislative agendas and led them to rely more on executive orders, memoranda, and regulatory actions. For example, President Obama used his executive authority to expand healthcare coverage, protect undocumented immigrants, and combat climate change, while President Trump rolled back many of these measures and pursued his own priorities in areas such as immigration, trade, and national security. Such executive actions can chart new policy directions or signal symbolic commitments but can also face legal challenges or be reversed by subsequent administrations.

Another trend is the expansion of presidential communication and media strategies, which allow presidents to bypass traditional intermediaries and directly connect with the public. Modern presidents can reach millions of people through social media, cable news, podcasts, and other platforms, shaping public opinion, mobilizing supporters, and framing issues. They can also use these tools to attack opponents, propagate misinformation, or appeal to emotions rather than facts. For example, President Trump famously used Twitter to communicate his views, grievances, and insults in a fast and unfiltered way that delighted his core base but outraged many others and raised questions about his fitness for office. President Biden, in contrast, has used social media in a more subdued and strategic way, focusing on rallying support for his policy initiatives and establishing his credibility as a unifying leader.

A third trend is the personalization and celebrityfication of the presidency, which has blurred the line between public and private life and created new norms and expectations for presidential behavior. Presidents are not only expected to be competent and effective leaders but also to be relatable, authentic, and charismatic figures who embody national values and aspirations. The media and the public often scrutinize presidents’ clothing, families, hobbies, and personal quirks, as well as their interactions with other world leaders or celebrities. This emphasis on personality and style over substance and policy can enhance presidents’ informal power by giving them a stronger emotional connection with the public but also downgrade democracy by distracting from more substantive criteria of leadership and accountability.

These trends are not necessarily new or unique to the 21st century, but they have intensified and interacted in ways that create both opportunities and challenges for democratic governance. On the one hand, informal presidential power can provide a useful check on the gridlock and corruption of formal institutions, allowing presidents to innovate, communicate, and respond to changing circumstances. On the other hand, informal presidential power can also erode the rule of law, undermine democratic norms, and deepen the partisan polarization that undercuts public trust in government. The way in which informal presidential power evolves and is perceived in the future will depend on many factors, including the political context, the media environment, and the choices of individual presidents and citizens.

Overall, the rise of informal presidential power in the 21st century reflects both the challenges and opportunities of governing in a complex and fast-changing world that demands new forms of leadership and communication. By understanding the dynamics and implications of informal power, we can better assess the strengths and weaknesses of our presidential system and contribute to improving its democratic legitimacy and effectiveness.

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