Date of Award:
8-2020
Document Type:
Thesis
Degree Name:
Master of Science (MS)
Department:
Political Science
Committee Chair(s)
Josh M. Ryan
Committee
Josh M. Ryan
Committee
Robert E. Ross
Committee
Maria Angela Diaz
Abstract
The Constitution gives the president the power of clemency, the ability to forgive crimes and release individuals from prison. There are no checks on this power, giving the president unilateral power. Are there any factors that constrain this power or affect it? I claim that the electoral manner in which a president comes into office helps determine how they will use the power. Presidents coming into power with enthusiasm and confidence of the people will issue more clemency, while those who come into power with less will have decreased levels of clemency. Additionally, with more media outlets to scrutinize their every action, more recent presidents also issue less clemency.
Checksum
3d1fcf9624648c5345faf08a109ab9d6
Recommended Citation
Ulrich, Stewart, "The Power of Mercy: An Examination of Presidential Pardon Patterns" (2020). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023. 7819.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/7819
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