The number and scope of the executive orders issued by president have increased dramatically. What does this suggest about the presidency?

The increasing use of executive orders by presidents suggests that presidents have been trying to take more power into their own hands rather than working with Congress to change laws.

In part this is due to difficulties with deep divisions in Congress, which makes cooperation to pass legislation in Congress more and more challenging.

In part it also has to do with presidents seeking greater authority for the executive office. Presidents will tend to do so especially in times of war or other perceived national crisis. Arthur Schlesinger's 1973 book, The Imperial Presidency, looked at how presidential powers, particularly in foreign affairs, tended to be increased by all presidents in wartime. While our Constitution seeks to check and balance powers between the branches of government, the Executive Branch tends to want to streamline execution of plans and programs. Presidents will issue executive orders to get something done in more direct fashion than working through Congress to get it accomplished.