Routledge Handbook of Sociological Perspectives on the American Presidency

This innovative handbook offers a sociological lens on the American presidency, making it essential reading for scholars in sociology, political science, history, and related fields. Through a distinguished collection of interdisciplinary essays, the volume explores the presidency amid a period of democratic strain in the United States. Contributors foreground ethical, evidence- based leadership while examining the social turbulence intensified during the Trump administration—marked by rising hate crimes and declining civil discourse, often linked to divisive presidential rhetoric. Merging sociological theory with analysis of presidential behavior, the handbook reveals how the office both shapes and reflects broader societal forces. Chapters investigate how class, race, gender, and media representation influence presidential policies, public perception, and legacy. The volume critiques shifting cultural norms and societal expectations, urging readers to view the presidency as a mirror of national consciousness rather than a solitary institution. Key themes include authoritarianism, nativist-populism, ethnonationalism, and social psychology. The Routledge Handbook of Sociological Perspectives on the American Presidency provides a fresh, critical framework for understanding leadership in a polarized era and serves as a vital academic tool for navigating the intersection of politics and society.