Appraising Presidential Performance: A Test of the 'Values and Targets' Hypothesis

19 Pages Posted: 19 Jul 2010 Last revised: 20 Aug 2010

See all articles by Bruce Buchanan

Bruce Buchanan

University of Texas at Austin - Department of Government

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Date Written: 2010

Abstract

For reasons suggested by presidential history, I posit that citizens apply effectiveness, morality and prudence value criteria to appraisals of presidential performance. For reasons suggested by (among other sources) existing “single-variable” political science appraisal research I posit that they are applied to three evaluation targets: presidential traits (e.g., “strong leader.” See Newman, 2004) acts (e.g., “bold action;” see Kinder and Fiske 1986) and outcomes (e.g., “improved economy;” see Brody, 1991). This yields a nine-celled “values and targets” hypothesis matrix. I use the coded results of face-to-face interviews of more than 500 ordinary Americans (recruited to “match and mimic” random national samples) to test the “fit” of the evaluative criteria mentioned in interviews to the matrix. The interviews asked respondents to identify the criteria they use to judge presidents-in-general, the overall performance of the current incumbent, and the incumbent’s foreign and economic policy performance.

Keywords: evaluative criteria, presidential support, traits, acts, outcomes

Suggested Citation

Buchanan, Bruce, Appraising Presidential Performance: A Test of the 'Values and Targets' Hypothesis (2010). APSA 2010 Annual Meeting Paper, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1643136

Bruce Buchanan (Contact Author)

University of Texas at Austin - Department of Government ( email )

College of Liberal Arts
1 University Station A1800
Austin, TX 78712
United States

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