The Center for the Study of the Presidency (CSP) is a non-partisan, non-profit organization founded in 1965. The Center is the only organization that systematically examines past successes and failures of the Presidency and relates its findings to present challenges and opportunities. Today, both the Executive and Legislative Branches are highly compartmentalized, and this is the enemy of strategic thinking, action, and the best use of resources. In addition, the nation is polarized even though public opinion polls show a desire to break these barriers and face our nation's real public policy issues. Lessons learned from past American experiences offer insights on how to deal with these challenges.
CSP Mission
- Promote leadership in the Presidency and the Congress to generate innovative solutions to current national challenges;
- Preserve the historic memory of the Presidency by identifying the lessons from the successes and failures of such leadership;
- Draw on a wide range of talent to offer ways to better organize an increasingly compartmentalized Federal Government;
- Educate and inspire the next generation of America’s leaders to incorporate civility, inclusiveness, and character into their public and private lives and discourse.
CSP Methodologies
Bring representatives of the Executive and Legislative branches together to address compartmentalization and bridge disconnects. Marshalling the best talent to solve problems, regardless of political affiliation, will strengthen the effectiveness of government with inclusiveness and civility. See Promoting Civility and Inclusive Leadership, Declaration on Civility and Inclusive Leadership, and The Mount Vernon Compact for more information.
Provide context and perspective of past successes and failures through the award-winning Presidential Studies Quarterly, the premiere journal on the American Presidency. The Center’s highly praised book, Triumphs and Tragedies of the Modern Presidency: Seventy-Six Case Studies in Presidential Leadership, also provides important insights to White House and Congressional leaders, other key government officials, and academics.
Marshal a wide range of voices and talents – new and well-known, from both in and outside of Washington, including think tanks, universities, laboratories and NGOs – by drawing on larger institutions that conduct in-depth research on a wide array of policy programs. CSP acts as a catalyst by defining issues and mobilizing experts around a strategic focus. See Programs for a more detailed examination.
Identify, inspire, and mentor the next generation of national leaders through the Center’s widely recognized Presidential Fellows Program and a new Center initiative on character-based leadership, as well as the CSP Internship Program.
