The Performative Presidency

Reviews / Votes

'Given the large number of books that examine Bill Clinton and his presidency, it is extraordinary that Jason Mast tells us something new in his compelling account. By viewing Bill Clinton through the lens of performance theory, Mast manages to elucidate in new ways the 'disconnect' between the public and private Clinton that continues to intrigue his friends and foes.' Mabel Berezin, Cornell University 'The Performative Presidency is essential reading for anyone concerned with leadership, media, and publics in modern democracies. Jason Mast's fascinating study of the drama of the Clinton years demonstrates convincingly that presidential power is cultural power, created and challenged in extended performance.' Lyn Spillman, University of Notre Dame 'Drawing on recent work in cultural theory, The Performative Presidency is a breath of fresh air for the study of Bill Clinton's rise and fall, and it casts new light on the problems and prospects of presidential leadership more generally. An innovative, provocative and absorbing book!' Jeffrey K. Tulis, University of Texas, Austin 'The Performative Presidency is a clearly written and compact book on an important topic too often ignored by social scientists: the performative dimension of politics ... Mast's book is a welcome contribution to the study of politics, and a fine example of the value of inter-disciplinary work. It ought to be read outside sociology by political scientists as well as media and communication scholars.' Rasmus Kleis Nielsen, Media, Culture and Society