Deconstructing Reagan: Conservative Mythology and America's Fortieth President: Conservative Mythology and America's Fortieth President

Although he left office nearly 20 years ago, Ronald Reagan remains a potent symbol for the conservative movement. The Bush administration frequently invokes his legacy as it formulates and promotes its fiscal, domestic, and foreign policies. His name is watchword for campus conservatives who regard him in a way that borders on hero worship. Conservative media pundits often equate the term "Reagan-esque" with personal honor, fiscal rectitude, and unqualified success in dealing with foreign threats. But how much of the Reagan legacy is based on fact, how much on idealized myth? And what are the reasons - political and otherwise - behind the mythmaking? "Deconstructing Reagan" is a fascinating study of the interplay of politics and memory concerning our fortieth president. While giving credit where credit is due, the authors scrutinize key aspects of the Reagan legacy and the conservative mythology that surrounds it. Contents 5 Introduction American Conservatism 7 1 Reagan and the Cold War 21 Background 22 Administration In .ghting 26 The Military Buildup and Star Wars 28 The Economic Cold War 33 Terrorism,Democracy,and Covert Warfare 36 From Banana Wars to Iran-Contra 42 Reagan,Gorbachev,and the End of the Cold War 48 Legacies 56 2 The Economic Costs of Reagan Mythology 59 A Demythologized View of Reagan ’s Economic Policies 60 The Consequences of Reagan ’s Economic Policies 69 Mythical Lessons 81 Conclusion 85 3 Reagan and Race Prophet of Color Blindness, Baiter of the Backlash 88 Reagan the Man:The Prophet of Color Blindness 90 Reagan as Campaigner:The Sunny Salesman of the White Backlash 93 Reagan on Racial Policies:Backlash on the Back Burner 100 Reagan ’s Racial Legacy:Ironic and Subtle 104 4 When Character Was King? Ronald Reagan and the Issues of Ethics and Morality 108 Creating the Straw Man:Choosing the Character Comparison 109 A Matter of Conscience and Principle?The Abortion Issue 115 The Incorruptible President? 121 Conclusion 134 Epilogue Contemporary Politics and the Myths of Reagan 139 Notes 145 Introduction 145 Chapter 1 146 Chapter 2 149 Chapter 3 152 Chapter 4 153 Epilogue 156 About the Authors 157 Index 159 Introduction : American Conservatism -- 1. Reagan And The Cold War / Michael Schaller -- 2. The Economic Costs Of Reagan Mythology / John W. Sloan -- 3. Reagan And Race : Prophet Of Colorblindness, Baiter Of The Backlash / Jeremy Mayer -- 4. When Character Was King? Ronald Reagan And The Issues Of Ethics And Morality / Kyle Longley -- Epilogue : Contemporary Politics And The Myths Of Reagan -- Notes -- About The Authors -- Index. Kyle Longley ... [et Al.]. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 127-138) And Index. Although he left office, Ronald Reagan remains a potent symbol for the conservative movement. This work presents the study of the interplay of politics and memory concerning our fortieth president. It scrutinizes key aspects of the Reagan legacy and the conservative mythology that surrounds it.