Our third episode in our series on the presidency is with Dr. Stephen Knott, the author of, "The Lost Soul of the American Presidency: The Decline Into Demagoguery and the Prospects for Renewal."

His book explains how presidents have promised too much in an effort to "stir the passions" of the American people. He argues that lofty rhetoric, while great at helping candidates win votes, is seldom matched by actual accomplishment. Dr. Knott explains that demagogues lead to a "tyranny of the majority," which is mostly good for bragging rights, but leaves the American people angry at their government. Dr. Knott argues that the downfall begins with Thomas Jefferson, accelerates under Andrew Jackson, and that it becomes an art form in the 20th Century, to a point where Donald Trump can take power in the 21st. While, yes, he is critical of President Trump, he leaves no stone unturned in describing how even our most revered presidents, from FDR to Reagan, to modern ones like Clinton, Bush and Obama, did not help turn the downfall around.

Dr. Knott is reachable on Twitter @publius57

Axelbank Reports History and Today is available on Twitter and Instagram @axelbankhistory

Here is a schedule of release dates for episodes as part of our series on the presidency:

***September 29th: James Poniewozik - "Audience of One: Donald Trump, Television and the Fracturing of America"

***September 29th: Steven Levingston - "Barack and Joe: The Making of an Extraordinary Partnership"

***October 6th: Stephen Knott - "The Lost Soul of the American Presidency: The Decline into Demagoguery and the Prospects for Renewal"

***October 13th: Lindsay Chervinsky - "The Cabinet: George Washington and the Creation of an American Institution"

***October 20th: A.J. Baime - "Dewey Defeats Truman: The 1948 Election and the Battle for America's Soul"

***October 27th: Jeremi Suri - "The Impossible Presidency: The Rise and Fall of America's Highest Office"

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