This study revisits President-centered and Presidency-centered perspectives of Presidential behavior through an empirical analysis of federal executive clemency policy in the United States. A review of the extant literature provides a framework within which to develop and test hypotheses. Specific variables are then tested in a multivariate model of clemency policy from 1934 to 1994. The dependent variable (which measures degrees of leniency) is derived from a data set consisting of over 41,000

more »

... clemency applications and over 11,000 'positive' clemency decisions made in eleven administrations. ARIMA models of clemency policy suggest that while some personal background characteristics of the president may be important considerations, the clemency policy of administrations is best understood by the political environment and more administrative factors. Thus, with respect to clemency, the Presidency-centered orientation appears to be more appropriate.