Book SummaryMaster Of The Senate, by Robert A. Caro

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Master Of The Senate

As the executive branch's influence expanded, the importance of the Senate concurrently waned.

Caro illustrates how the influence of the Senate diminished over the course of the 20th century, a period marked by the growth of presidential authority in both domestic and foreign affairs, complicating Congress's ability to perform the checks and balances intended by the Founding Fathers.

The expansion of presidential authority in global affairs during the early 20th century was demonstrated by Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson through their use of tools like the executive agreement.

Theodore Roosevelt's presidency was a turning point that strengthened the power of the executive branch, which, according to Caro, lessened the legislative body of the Senate's sway, especially with his unilateral actions in the realm of international policy.

Theodore Roosevelt circumvented the requirement for Senate approval by utilizing executive agreements in his interactions with Santo Domingo and Korea.

Theodore Roosevelt, when faced with a Senate frequently resistant to his proposed actions, particularly in times of crisis, expanded the range of international agreements that a president could enter into without requiring Senate approval, to include agreements with significant consequences. Roosevelt, aiming to thwart European meddling, acted independently because he was displeased with the Senate's sluggishness in approving an agreement with Santo Domingo, and he took it upon himself to enforce the agreements, persisting in this unilateral action for two years without the Senate's approval, declaring his willingness to maintain this approach until his term concluded, irrespective of Congressional involvement. In 1905, he transferred sovereignty over Korea to Japan via a secret agreement that was not revealed for two decades. He frequently boasted about his individual endeavors to broker peace in Portsmouth, negotiate the control of Panama, and send the naval fleet on a worldwide tour, all without soliciting counsel or help from anyone.

Practical Tips

• Develop a better understanding of international relations by participating in model United Nations or similar simulations available in your community or online. Take on the role of a country's representative and engage in creating non-binding resolutions with other participants. This experience can give you insight into the complexities of international agreements and the importance of diplomacy.
• Engage in a self-imposed challenge where you make all personal decisions for a week without seeking external approval or validation. This could range from choosing what to wear to deciding on a new hobby to try. The goal is to strengthen your confidence in making choices that align with your values and desires, even in the absence of others' agreement or endorsement.
• You can practice independent decision-making by setting a "solo decision day" where you make all choices without external input. Start with small decisions like choosing your meals or planning your day, and gradually increase the complexity to include work-related or financial decisions. This will help you trust your instincts and become more decisive.
• You can enhance your negotiation skills by practicing with a peer or mentor. Set up a mock negotiation scenario where you aim to achieve a specific goal without external assistance. For example, simulate a business deal where you must convince your counterpart to agree to your terms using only your persuasion skills.
• Create a "self-reliance jar" where you deposit a small amount of money every time you successfully complete a task without external help. This could be fixing a household item, solving a work-related problem, or even learning a new skill on your own. Use the money you save as a reward for your self-reliance, perhaps to fund a personal treat or invest in a self-improvement course.

Initially, the Senate followed the political agenda set by Woodrow Wilson, yet it ultimately reasserted its power by refusing to ratify the Treaty of Versailles.

William Howard Taft continued to extend the scope of presidential authority, building upon the foundation laid by Roosevelt, which led to increased resistance from Senate members. However, their efforts did not yield any effective results. When Woodrow Wilson took office as President in 1913, the lines between presidential behavior and congressional power in the realm of international affairs had become more blurred. Despite initial hesitations because of the precedent set by Roosevelt, Congress authorized the dispatch of military forces to Mexico in 1914. In the initial two years of his tenure, Wilson wielded significant sway in the Senate, skillfully steering the enactment of New Deal laws that even progressives were skeptical about, but after the end of the Great War and the President's celebrated return from Versailles bearing the peace treaty intended to end all wars, the Senate reasserted its authority.

Woodrow Wilson, originating from an academic foundation in political science, initially concurred with the notion that the Senate should operate with more thoughtful consideration, organization, and insight than the House, but by 1919, he had completely reversed his view, denouncing the Senate's Republican members for their narrow and myopic viewpoints. selfish . . . The quality of intellect was more diminished and impoverished. He expected the Senate to quickly approve his treaty, which was crucial for forming a global coalition dedicated to preserving peace, with minimal examination, as if its only function was to confirm his choices unquestioningly. Circumstances were subject to change. Despite the American public's broad backing and the endorsement of many media outlets for the concept of a League, as well as the President's efforts to leverage his persuasive speaking skills and political clout to convince the legislative body, the Senate...

Master Of The Senate Summary Lyndon Johnson's skillful amassing of power within the Senate.

During the spring of 1937, Lyndon Johnson, situated away from the forefront on the Democratic side of the Senate Chamber, was not just a passive onlooker. He was intently considering his destiny and the fervent aspiration he nurtured to etch his name in history as the youngest senator, a dream that was dashed by the unsuccessful "last chance" risk he took in 1941. Lyndon Johnson understood that to further his political ambitions, he needed to seek either a position of power or widespread popularity, each representing a different strategy.

Johnson initially encountered challenges and meticulously devised strategies to maneuver through the Senate's hierarchical system that impacted the distribution of committee roles.

Johnson understood that from his vantage point at the back of the Senate, making a distinguished personal mark in this chamber would prove more difficult than his previous endeavors in the House. The reality that his Texas drawl and Southern ties virtually ruled out the possibility of him becoming a Democratic Leader, coupled with the seniority system, ensured that he would have to bide his time for years before he could secure a chairmanship. Challenging the...