Still Awaiting Nixon’s Place in History

Year 2017, Issue: 47, 99 - 114, 01.10.2017

Roger Chapman

Abstract

Watergate continues to overshadow how President Richard Nixon is remembered in American society. Perhaps one reason for this is because not all of the various actors—perpetrators, investigators, and prosecutors of the scandal—have died. Until the last obituary of a Watergate figure is written, it is unlikely the perception of Nixon will significantly change. However, as the dust of history settles, the thirtyseventh president of the United States may come to be regarded as a standard American politician, only unique in that his political misdeeds and abuse of power were thoroughly exposed. Of long-term significance is the evidence that suggests Nixon’s legacy has largely contributed to the growing American public cynicism toward politicians and public institutions

Keywords

Watergate, President Nixon, Nixon Presidential Library, US Presidents

Nixon’ın Tarihteki Yerini Saptamaya Çalışmak

Abstract

Watergate Skandalı, Amerikan toplumunun Başkan Richard Nixon’ı hatırlayış biçimine gölge düşürmeye devam etmektedir. Belki de bunun bir sebebi skandalın öznelerinin - skandala adı karışanların, soruşturmacıların ve savcıların - henüz hepsinin ölmemiş olmasıdır. Skandalda adı geçen son kişinin ölüm ilanı yazılana dek, Nixon algısının değişmesi mümkün görünmemektedir. Sadece politik suçları ve gücünü kötüye kullanmış olması tamamen ifşa edilmiş olduğu için emsalsiz olan, Amerika Birleşik Devletleri’nin otuz yedinci başkanı, ancak tarihin tozları dağıldığında, standart bir Amerikan başkanı olarak düşünülebilecektir. En önemlisi Nixon’ın politik mirasının Amerika’da politikacılarla kamu kurumlarına karşı yaygınlaşan alaycı tavrı büyük ölçüde körüklemiş olmasıdır

Keywords

Watergate Skandalı, Başkan Nixon, Nixon Başkanlık Kütüphanesi, Amerikan Devlet Başkanları

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