Ronald Reagan and the 1980s: Perceptions, Policies, Legacies (Studies of the Americas)

By the end of the 1980s, many Americans looked at the state of the nation with a renewed optimism. America was the world's only superpower, Communism had been defeated, the economic misery and inflation of the late 1970s and early 1980s had given way to prosperity and vast global wealth, and a new swashbuckling patriotism had entered into the public imagination. This patriotism and optimism was personified by an enduring American president--Ronald Wilson Reagan. The essays in this volume revisit the 1980s in order to examine the factors that contributed to Ronald Reagan's political and cultural triumphs, provide an assessment of the political, social, and economic substance and legacy of his policies--not just for Americans but for the shape of the world order. By The End Of The 1980s, Many Americans Looked At The State Of The Nation With A Renewed Optimism. America Was The World's Only Superpower, Communism Had Been Defeated, The Economic Misery And Inflation Of The Late Seventies And Early Eighties Had Given Way To Prosperity And Vast Global Wealth, And A New Swashbuckling Patriotism Had Entered Into The Public Imagination. This Patriotism And Optimism Was Personified By An Enduring American President - Ronald Wilson Reagan. The Essays In This Volume Revisit The 1980s In Order To Examine The Factors That Contributed To Ronald Reagan's Political And Cultural Triumphs As Well As Assessing The Political, Social, And Economic Substance And Legacy Of His Policies - Not Just For Americans But For The Shape Of The World Order.--jacket. Ronald Reagan : Communicating The America Within / Dan Rather -- Only An Actor : Memories Of A Reagan Biopic / Godfrey Hodgson -- Just Say No : Drug Abuse Policy In The Reagan Administration / Peter G. Bourne -- Ronald Reagan And The End Of The Cold War / Jack F. Matlock, Jr. -- Reagan, Nuclear Weapons, And The End Of The Cold War / Simon Head -- Reaganomics And Its Legacy / Iwan Morgan -- African American Protest During The Reagan Years : Forging New Agendas, Defending Old Victories / Stephen Tuck -- Reagan's Religious Right : The Unlikely Alliance Between Southern Evangelicals And A California Conservative / Daniel K. Williams -- Ronald Reagan And The Republican Party : Responses To Realignment / Robert Mason -- The Baptist And The Messiah : Ronald Reagan And Margaret Thatcher / Dominic Sandbrook -- Transforming The Presidency : The Administration Of Ronald Reagan / Joel D. Aberbach -- The Road To Mount Rushmore : The Conservative Commemoration Crusade For Ronald Reagan / Niels Bjerre-poulsen -- Toward A Historiography Of Reagan And The 1980s : Why Have We Done Such A Lousy Job? / Gil Troy -- Epilogue : Ronald Reagan And The Historians / M.j. Heale. Edited By Cheryl Hudson And Gareth Davies. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.