The Competent President: Leadership for the Public Good -- A contextual analysis

Summary or condensation of the Book

See a 3000-work summary here.

See a 15% condensation here.  

What are the book's key features?

• Application of Requisite Organization (RO) Theory to Politics: Its most defining feature is the systematic use of Jaques's concepts (C.I.P., logic levels, time-horizon, strata) to analyze presidential competence, a framework typically used in organizational management.

• Historical Analysis through RO Lens: It re-examines US presidents (primarily post-1960) not just by events or policies, but through the specific cognitive capabilities they demonstrated (or lacked).

• Focus on Cognitive Capability: It elevates cognitive complexity and time-horizon as primary, measurable criteria for presidential fitness, distinct from ideology, experience, or personality alone.

• Voter Education Focus: The book explicitly aims to equip voters with analytical tools derived from RO to make more informed choices.

• Critique of Modern Selection Processes: It criticizes primaries and media coverage for failing to adequately assess or prioritize requisite capability.

• Integration of "Civic Virtue": It incorporates a specific definition of civic virtue (public good over self-interest, rooted in Iroquois/Franklin) as a necessary leadership quality alongside competence.

• Emphasis on "Absolutism": It uses the avoidance of absolutism as a recurring theme and benchmark for evaluating leadership actions.

• Correlation of Competence and Re-election: It presents data correlating assessed cognitive capability levels with presidential re-election success rates.

What is the book’s unique contribution? What is the core thesis of the book, and how does the author articulate it?

• Unique Contribution: The book's primary unique contribution is the novel and systematic application of Elliott Jaques's Requisite Organization theory, a framework from organizational science focused on cognitive capability and time-span, to the assessment of US presidential competence and leadership effectiveness. It moves beyond traditional political science or historical analyses focused on policy, personality, or ideology, offering a distinct, structured methodology for evaluating fitness for the role based on cognitive complexity.

• Core Thesis: The core thesis is that the US presidency demands a specific, high level of cognitive capability (dynamic logic within the Abstract Order, minimum 20-year time horizon) to effectively manage its inherent complexity, but the modern American political system and electorate consistently fail to identify and select candidates possessing this requisite competence.

• Articulation: Craddock articulates this thesis by:

  1. Defining presidential competence using Jaques's RO framework.

  2. Analyzing historical presidencies (especially post-1960) through this lens, assessing their demonstrated logic levels and time horizons.

  3. Contrasting "competent" presidents (e.g., Kennedy, Reagan) with "presiders" or incompetent ones (e.g., Ford, Carter, Bush 43, Trump), linking their capability levels to their successes and failures, particularly in handling crises.

  4. Presenting data correlating higher assessed capability with re-election success.

  5. Critiquing modern selection processes (primaries, media) for obscuring or ignoring capability assessment.

  6. Calling for voters to adopt this capability-focused framework to improve leadership selection and safeguard the republic.

How does the author define key terms or concepts central to the book’s argument?

• Competence (Presidential): Defined through the RO lens as possessing the requisite Cognitive Information Processing (C.I.P.) capability (specifically dynamic logic - Serial/Parallel - in the Abstract Order) and Time-Horizon (minimum 20 years) to handle the complexity and demands of the presidential role effectively. It includes the ability to solve complex problems, manage crises, and implement long-term strategy.

• Cognitive Information Processing (C.I.P.) / Cognitive Capability (Cc): The mental processes an individual uses to handle information complexity; specifically, the type and order of logic they can sustain (Declarative, Cumulative, Serial, Parallel within Concrete, Symbolic, Abstract Orders).

• Time-Horizon (TH): The furthest point in the future for which an individual can realistically plan, set goals, and manage the consequences of their actions. Directly linked to C.I.P level.

• Dynamic Logic: Complex thinking involving cause-and-effect (Serial: if-then) or multiple interacting systems (Parallel: if-and-only-if... then multiple consequences). Required for Stratum VII+ roles like the presidency.

• Static Logic: Simpler thinking involving single statements (Declarative: or) or lists/accumulations of information without clear causal links (Cumulative: and). Insufficient for the presidency's full complexity.

• Abstract Order (OIC): The level of information complexity dealing with intangible concepts, theories, and systems, typically expressed in paragraphs. Required for executive roles (Levels 5-8).

• Civic Virtue (Virtù): A public morality focused on the common good over self-interest, rooted in Iroquois/Franklin concepts, distinct from private morality or simple patriotism.

• Absolutism: Arbitrary, unaccountable rule where power is unchecked, whether by a monarch, dictator, or potentially other forces (e.g., mob rule, unchecked executive power via UET). The primary threat the US system was designed to prevent.

To what degree is the book theoretical vs practical? To what degree are there case studies or practical implementation steps?

• Theoretical vs. Practical: The book is heavily theoretical in its foundation, relying extensively on Jaques's RO framework. However, its application is practical in intent. The theory is used to generate a practical method for analyzing real-world political figures and events.

• Case Studies: The analyses of individual presidents (Kennedy, Reagan, LBJ, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Bush 41, Clinton, Bush 43, Obama, Trump, Biden) serve as detailed case studies demonstrating the application of the RO framework.

• Implementation Steps: The book offers a conceptual framework and analytical approach for voters rather than step-by-step implementation guides for organizations. The practical steps are for the voter: learn to listen for logic types in debates, consider time horizons in proposals, and prioritize demonstrated capability. It doesn't provide checklists but aims to cultivate an analytical mindset.

About the author(s)

• Author Biography (approx. 150 words): Kenneth C. Craddock is presented as the Research Director of the Global Organization Design Society (GO Society), an international association focused on Requisite Organization. He received their Lifetime Achievement Award for compiling the extensive online Requisite Organization Annotated Bibliography. His background includes teaching management and economics (City College of New York) and significant exposure to key figures in related fields: he was a teaching assistant to W. Edwards Deming (quality management) at Columbia Business School and studied R.O. directly with Elliott Jaques. His academic credentials include an M.P.A. from Harvard Kennedy School, an M.A. in U.S. History from Columbia, and a B.A. from The New School. He has published articles in various newspapers and contributes to online platforms, indicating engagement with public discourse alongside his specialized research.

• Author Profile URL: A comprehensive profile with the author's publications can be found via the GO Society website: 

How does this book fit into the author’s evolution of thinking and body of work?

This book appears to be a significant application and extension of Kenneth Craddock's deep immersion in Requisite Organization theory. His primary known work is the massive RO Annotated Bibliography, demonstrating decades of research into Jaques's framework and related concepts. "The Competent President" takes this theoretical expertise beyond typical organizational contexts and applies it directly to the high-stakes domain of political leadership assessment. It represents a shift from compiling RO knowledge to utilizing it as an analytical tool for public understanding and civic education. His background linking RO, Deming's quality principles, and history/public administration provides the interdisciplinary foundation for this unique synthesis. The book aims to translate specialized organizational science insights into a practical framework for evaluating fitness for the US presidency, reflecting a desire to apply his life's work to a critical issue of public concern.

The book in context

• Historical/Organizational Context: Craddock wrote this book in a period marked by increasing political polarization in the US, widespread concern about the quality and character of political leadership (particularly following the Trump presidency), debates about democratic norms and institutions, and the backdrop of ongoing global challenges (e.g., great power competition, climate change, pandemics). The rise of disinformation and the perceived failures of traditional media and political analysis likely provided impetus for offering a different, capability-focused framework. The context is one where questions about "fitness for office" are highly salient.

• Other similar books in the field: Finding directly comparable books is difficult due to the unique application of RO theory. However, related fields include:

  1. Presidential Assessment/Psychology: Books analyzing presidential personality, decision-making, and effectiveness (e.g., works by Fred Greenstein - The Presidential Difference; James David Barber - The Presidential Character; potentially psychobiographies). These often focus on personality traits or leadership styles rather than cognitive structure.

  2. Leadership Theory: General works on leadership effectiveness (e.g., Burns's Leadership; works by Bennis, Heifetz). These offer broader leadership models but lack the specific RO cognitive framework.

  3. Organizational Theory Applied to Government: Works examining government effectiveness through organizational lenses (less common at the presidential level, more on bureaucracy).

  4. Civic Education/Voter Behavior: Books analyzing how voters make decisions or advocating for better civic knowledge (e.g., Key's The Responsible Electorate). These typically don't offer a specific candidate assessment methodology like Craddock's.

• Comparison: Craddock's book differs by its core reliance on Jaques's specific, structured theory of cognitive hierarchy and time-span application. Presidential psychology books often use Freudian or trait-based approaches. General leadership books offer broader typologies. Civic education books focus on the voter or system, not primarily a candidate assessment tool derived from organizational science. Craddock's approach is more deterministic regarding capability levels than many personality-based analyses.

• Ranking: Ranking these by print run is not feasible with available data.

Who are the most likely readers?

• Intended Readers (Preface/Foreword): Explicitly, the voter – citizens seeking better ways to evaluate candidates and understand the demands of the presidency [cite: 60-61, 131].

• Likely Managerial Readers: Senior executives (CEOs, VPs), particularly those interested in Strategy, Organization Design (OD), and potentially Human Resources (HR) / Talent Management, especially those already familiar with or interested in RO, systems thinking, or structured leadership assessment models. The focus on high-level capability makes it relevant for assessing top leadership potential in any complex organization.

• Likely Academic Readers: Specialists in Political Science (esp. Presidency Studies, American Politics, Leadership), Public Policy/Administration, Organizational Behavior/Theory, and potentially Cognitive Psychology or Leadership Studies.

What is the style of writing?

• Style: Appears to be formal academic with extensive citations, but written with the intent of reaching an engaged public/voter audience. It uses specialized terminology from RO theory but attempts to define and explain it. It integrates historical narrative and analysis.

• Age Level: Likely College level and above.

• Minimum Education for Basic Understanding: Probably some college-level reading ability is needed, particularly familiarity with political history and a willingness to engage with a theoretical framework. A basic grasp requires understanding the core concepts of different thinking complexities and time horizons.

• Education for Full Grasp/Use: A deeper understanding or ability to apply the method would likely require a background in relevant fields (Political Science, Psychology, Management, Org. Design) or specific study of Requisite Organization theory. Graduate-level understanding in these areas would facilitate a full critique and application.

What others say

• Controversies: No specific controversies involving the author are mentioned in the provided text. Potential controversies surrounding the book's ideas could include:

  • Perceived determinism in assessing capability levels.

  • Difficulty/subjectivity in applying the C.I.P. assessment method reliably, especially from afar (e.g., analyzing debates).

  • Potential oversimplification of complex political outcomes by focusing heavily on leader capability.

  • Disagreement with specific historical assessments of presidents.

  • Resistance to applying an organizational theory to the unique political context of the presidency.

• Reception (Simulated):

  • CEOs/VPs: Might find the structured approach to capability intriguing, potentially resonating with their own experiences of leadership demands, but could be skeptical of its direct applicability to the less controllable political sphere or put off by specific political analyses.

  • OD/Management Consultants: RO practitioners would likely be highly interested, seeing it as a major application/validation of the theory. Others might be intrigued by the framework but question its practical implementation for voter assessment.

  • Academics: Political scientists might critique the framework's novelty compared to existing leadership theories or its perceived determinism. Organizational theorists might appreciate the application but question the political context adaptation. Historians might challenge specific presidential assessments. Reception would likely be mixed, with interest in the novel approach but potential skepticism about its explanatory power or methodology. HBR might find it too theoretical or politically focused; Academy of Management journals might engage with the theoretical application if framed appropriately.

  • Public: Engaged voters seeking deeper analysis might appreciate the framework. Others might find it too complex, too academic, or disagree with the assessments based on their own political views. Its non-partisan intent might be challenged based on the specific examples chosen.

• Reviews (Simulated):

  • Positive: Likely praise the novel application of a structured theory to a complex problem, the attempt to provide voters with objective assessment tools beyond ideology, the clear articulation of cognitive demands of leadership, and the provocative historical re-interpretations.

  • Critical: Likely critique the potential for subjective bias in assessing C.I.P. from limited data (debates), the perceived determinism of the model, the downplaying of political context/skill/luck, the difficulty for average voters to apply the complex framework reliably, and potential disagreement with specific historical analyses or the overall premise regarding 21st-century presidents.

Practical implications

• Recommendations for Managers/Leaders: While focused on the presidency, the core recommendation is universal for selecting leaders for complex roles: prioritize assessing cognitive capability (dynamic logic, appropriate time-horizon) alongside experience and temperament. It implicitly advises leaders to understand their own capability level and the demands of their role.

• Universality: The core RO principles are presented as universal to human capability in hierarchical organizations. The application here is specific to the US presidency, but the assessment method could theoretically be adapted to evaluate leaders in other complex governmental or large organizational roles globally.

• Implementation Methods: The book provides the framework and case studies but not simple checklists. Implementation requires the reader to learn and apply the concepts of observing logic types and time horizons in candidate communications and proposals.

• Success Stories: The book uses historical presidencies as analytical case studies, arguing those assessed as competent (Level 7+) had more successful outcomes (including re-election) than those assessed as less competent. It doesn't provide examples of organizations using this specific political assessment method successfully.

• Pitfalls/Challenges: The author implicitly warns against:

  • Choosing based on charisma, popularity, or static qualifications alone.

  • Ignoring the cognitive demands of the role.

  • Underestimating capable adversaries.

  • Allowing political systems (like primaries) to fail in vetting for competence.

  • The danger of leaders operating below the requisite level (leading to chaos, unresolved problems).

  • The threat of absolutism/anarchy if competence and civic virtue fail.

• Benefits (Short vs. Long-Term):

  • Short-term: More informed voter choices in a single election cycle.

  • Long-term: Election of more consistently competent presidents, leading to better problem-solving, more effective governance, stronger institutions, greater national stability, and potentially a more successful navigation of long-term national and global challenges, ultimately strengthening the republic.

How can I get the book?

• Free Download (GO Society): Unlikely for this specific, newly published book, although the author's RO Annotated Bibliography is available free on their site (http://globalro.org/).

• Free Download (Z-library): Z-library is widely known but operates outside legal copyright frameworks; accessing copyrighted material there may infringe on rights.

• Amazon.com URL: A search on Amazon.com for "The Competent President Kenneth Craddock" would be required. (Specific URL coming soon - it's in process of being uploaded).

• Publisher/Other Retailers: Availability would depend on the publisher and distribution channels chosen - unknown at present.