The last half of the twentieth century saw the advent of a new conservative movement in the United States, a coalition that shared a common determination to redefine the American government, culture, and economy. In this volume Ronald Story and Bruce Laurie present a rich variety of primary sources, including speeches, cartoons, party platforms, and editorials, that speak to the remarkable impact of the conservative movement, from its solvent think tanks to its grassroots support. Outspoken intellectuals such as William F. Buckley and George Gilder, charismatic political figures such as George Wallace, Barry Goldwater, and Ronald Reagan, and powerful organizations like the Southern Baptist Convention and the National Rifle Association weigh in on such issues as the death penalty, taxation, gun control, affirmative action, abortion, and foreign policy. The authors’ lucid introduction traces America’s turn to the right from the demise of New Deal liberalism to the election of George W. Bush in 2000, examining the conservatives’ motivations and strategies and the key events that fostered the rise of conservative attitudes. Each document is preceded by a headnote, helping students understand how the author and his or her line of thinking fit into the story of the movement. A timeline, questions for consideration, and a list of suggested readings also aid comprehension of the material.

The story of modern conservatism through the lives of six leading figures The Rise and Fall of Modern American Conservatism tells the gripping story of perhaps the most significant political force of our time through the lives and careers of six leading figures at the heart of the movement. David Farber traces the history of modern conservatism from its revolt against New Deal liberalism, to its breathtaking resurgence under Ronald Reagan, to its spectacular defeat with the election of Barack Obama. Farber paints vivid portraits of Robert Taft, William F. Buckley Jr., Barry Goldwater, Phyllis Schlafly, Ronald Reagan, and George W. Bush. He shows how these outspoken, charismatic, and frequently controversial conservative leaders were united by a shared insistence on the primacy of social order, national security, and economic liberty. Farber demonstrates how they built a versatile movement capable of gaining and holding power, from Taft's opposition to the New Deal to Buckley's founding of the National Review as the intellectual standard-bearer of modern conservatism; from Goldwater's crusade against leftist politics and his failed 1964 bid for the presidency to Schlafly's rejection of feminism in favor of traditional gender roles and family values; and from Reagan's city upon a hill to conservatism's downfall with Bush's ambitious presidency. The Rise and Fall of Modern American Conservatism provides rare insight into how conservatives captured the American political imagination by claiming moral superiority, downplaying economic inequality, relishing bellicosity, and embracing nationalism. This concise and accessible history reveals how these conservative leaders discovered a winning formula that enabled them to forge a powerful and formidable political majority. Some images inside the book are unavailable due to digital copyright restrictions.