Contemporary American conservatism – a mélange of ideas, people, and organizations – is difficult to define; even conservatives themselves are unable to agree about its essential meaning. Yet the conservative movement is well financed, exerts strong influence in the Republican Party, inspires followers throughout the land, and has spawned a network of think tanks and media outlets that are the envy of its competitors. It is a powerful political force with which to be reckoned. This book examines how that has come about and what contemporary conservatism signifies for US politics and policy. It looks at the recent history of conservatism in America as well as its antecedents in the UK, traces changes over time using American National Election Study data from 1972 to the present in what it means when people say they are conservatives, and assesses the prospects for American conservatism, both in the near term electoral context and over the longer term as well.

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.

The must-read summary of David Farber's book: “The Rise and Fall of Modern American Conservatism: A Short History”. This complete summary of "The Rise and Fall of Modern American Conservatism" by David Farber, a renowned professor of history, presents the author's gripping account of the rise and fall of the right-wing political movement through the careers of six leading figures, ending with the historic election of Barack Obama. The book provides rare insight into how conservatives captured the American political imagination by downplaying economic inequality and embracing patriotism and nationalism. Added-value of this summary: • Save time • Understand the motivations of conservatism • Expand your knowledge of American politics and history To learn more, read "The Rise and Fall of Modern Conservatism" and discover the recent history of a profoundly violent and powerful political movement.

The Rise of Contemporary Conservatism in the United States offers students an accessible introduction to the history of modern American conservatism. The author provides a concise but substantial discussion of modern conservatism from its origins in opposition to Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal up until the 2016 election of Donald J. Trump. The text examines electoral coalitions and politics as connected to economic and foreign policy as well as ideology. Conservative ideas and values are addressed directly, both on their own terms and in the context of contemporary political applications. A robust collection of primary documents offers students and instructors the opportunity to examine directly the views of both conservatives and their critics. Supported by range of study tools including a glossary of key figures and terms, a detailed chronology, and ample suggestions for further reading, The Rise of Contemporary Conservatism in the United States is the ideal introduction for students interested in the forging and fracturing of modern conservative coalitions and ideologies.

Presents forty essays, speeches, and other documents on conservatism or by conservatives, spanning 1930 to the turn of the century, including works by Seward Collins, Barry Goldwater, William F. Buckley, Jr., Irving Kristol, Ronald Reagan, Newt Gingrich, and others.

During the Progressive Era (1880-1920), leading thinkers and politicians transformed American politics. Historians and political scientists have given a great deal of attention to the progressives who effected this transformation. Yet relatively little is known about the conservatives who opposed these progressive innovations, despite the fact that they played a major role in the debates and outcomes of this period of American history. These early conservatives represent a now-forgotten source of inspiration for modern American conservatism. This volume gives these constitutional conservatives their first full explanation and demonstrates their ongoing relevance to contemporary American conservatism.