11 Principles of a Reagan Conservative
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Publisher Description
Perhaps no other president's name is invoked by politicians as much as Ronald Reagan's. Every election, as presidential hopefuls jockey for the Republican nomination, each one claims to be a Reagan conservative. But are these candidates truly carrying on the mantle of Ronald Reagan, or are they abusing the memory of our great president? What did Ronald Reagan really believe?
In 11 Principles of a Reagan Conservative, biographer Paul Kengor analyzes Ronald Reagan's speeches and actions to paint a full, accurate picture of his beliefs. Kengor identifies these principles that lie at the crux of Reagan's conservatism; Freedom, Faith, Family, Sanctity and Dignity of Human Life, American Exceptionalism, The Founders' Wisdom and Vision, Lower Taxes, Limited Government, Peace Through Strength, Anti-Communism, and Belief in the Individual. And it is through these principles that Reagan's modern emulators may create a successful, conservative future.
Many a politician has asked: What would Reagan do if he were president now? Where would Reagan stand on today's issues? Who is the next Ronald Reagan? Paul Kengor dissects Reagan's presidency and provides decisive conclusions. The answers to some of these questions may surprise conservatives and liberals alike.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Political scientist and Reagan scholar Kengor (The Communist) sets out to answer the question "What is a Reagan Conservative?" Reviewing Reagan's popularity and accomplishments as President, Kengor zeros in on a 1977 speech to the Conservative Political Action Committee that outlined significant principles of the conservative movement. Kengor discusses each of the 11 principles in turn, noting how Reagan illustrated it, and why it remains significant today. Freedom, our "divine right"; faith, which he ties to optimism; and family, defined as father, mother, children, are the first principles. Kengor further lists sanctity of human life; American exceptionalism; the wisdom and vision of the Founding Fathers; and lower taxes and reduced government size. This ties to the next principle, limited government; though not in the case of the military, as "peace through strength" and anti-Communism both required significant spending. The final principle tied to the Reagan model of conservatism is belief in the individual. Critical readers will note that many of these principles are defined in ways that require acceptance of conservative dogma, not in ways that invite discussion and open exchange of ideas. When Kengor relates these principles to contemporary debates such as same-sex marriage, he rather flatly predicts Reagan's stance. Excerpts from Reagan's speeches comprise the second half of this slim volume. Recommended for Conservatives who wish to have a stronger understanding of the ideas that drove policy during Reagan's administration.
