Taftian theory

{{William Howard Taft series}}

Taftian theory (also "Whig" theory)Michael J. Korzi (2003) Presidential Studies Quarterly, Vol. 33. Our Chief Magistrate and His Powers: A Reconsideration of William Howard Taft's "Whig" Theory of Presidential Leadership is a political term in the United States referring to a strict constructionist view regarding presidential power and the United States Constitution, where a president's power is limited to those powers specifically enumerated by the Constitution.{{Cite web |url=http://www.dound.com/school/gov/Ch8Terms.htm |title=Chapter 7 |access-date=2009-12-27 |archive-date=2009-06-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090601203022/http://www.dound.com/school/gov/Ch8Terms.htm |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.accd.edu/sac/gov/alfaro/executive.htm |title=14exec |access-date=2009-12-27 |archive-date=2005-02-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050214023713/http://www.accd.edu/sac/gov/alfaro/executive.htm |url-status=dead }}

Taftian Theory was coined after the governing style of the 27th president of the United States, William Howard Taft. Most presidents prior to Franklin D Roosevelt subscribed to this theory, whereas more recent presidents (except Trump) subscribe to a stewardship theory.{{cite book|page=174|title=Governing America: The Politics of a Divided Democracy|first=Robert|last=Singh|publisher=Oxford University Press|date=2003}}