ISSN:
1435-8921
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Economics
Notes:
Summary This study shows that U.S. presidential popularity depends on both economic factors, and the specific personality influences of each President. It also shows that it is important to differentiate carefully between a President's popularity, and its depreciation over the time he is in office. It is interesting to note that whilst Kennedy enjoyed the highest level of approval with the voters, he (and Johnson) also suffered the highest popularity loss over the term of office. This was almost certainly due to the Vietnam war. Eisenhower on the other hand, had a relatively low popularity level, but there is some indication that he managed to become more popular whilst in office. The Watergate scandal is reflected in a very significant fall in Nixon's popularity over his second term, and up to his resignation. It may be concluded that unemployment, inflation and growth of income are significant and quantitatively important factors determining presidential popularity. An increase in the level of unemployment decreases popularity by about three and a half per-cent; a rise in the rate of inflation decreases it by about one and a half per-cent; and a rise in the growth rate of nominal disposable income increases it by somewhat more than a half of a percentage point.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01764661
