The Plot That Failed: Nixon and the Administrative Presidency

By definition a plot is a secret project or scheme often harmful. THE PLOT THAT FAILED refers to President Richard M. Nixons attempt in 1972 and 1973 to achieve his major aims in domestic policy by controlling the management of domestic government. This strategyreferred to in this book as the Administrative Presidency--raises basic and intriguing questions for the American government. Under the plan a cadre of newly appointed Cabinet and sub-Cabinet officials was to take over entrenched bureaucraciesand thus seek to attain Nixons goals through administrative action. Watergate however was the downfall of the Administrative Presidency. THE PLOT THAT FAILED is an account of an abortive attempt to control the machinery of domestic government. Richard P. Nathan an official in the first term of the Nixon Administration presents an interesting and balanced treatment of Nixons domestic program. He underscores the fact that people across the political spectrum supported many of the aims of the New Federalism. Was there merit in Nixons concept of adopting an administrative strategy for putting these objective into effect? Would his strategy have worked if there had been no Watergate? What are its implications? These are some of the questions examined in this book.