# The Nature of the American Presidency

- Institution: Gresham College
- Speaker: Professor Sir Vernon Bogdanor FBA CBE
- Year: 2007
- Level: For everyone
- Language: English
- Subjects: Society and politics, History
- Source: [Gresham College](https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/nature-american-presidency)
- Licence: [Educational use (Gresham College's terms)](https://www.gresham.ac.uk/terms-and-conditions)
- Who can watch: Teens profiles and older (sources give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the source's own words)

A presidential system is a democratic alternative to a parliamentary system. It is a system of personal leadership by a popularly elected figure. Yet, it was designed by the Founding Fathers of the United States as a constitutional office, by contrast with that of the British monarchy under George III. The President, therefore, must act within a system of checks and balances laid down in the United States Constitution. The president is restricted both by Congress and by the Supreme Court. To what extent does this limit their effectiveness, especially in foreign policy.

## Lectures

1. [The Nature of the American Presidency](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/gresham/nature-american-presidency/395328d3793b) (YouTube)