The Right Talk

How Conservatives Transformed the Great Society into the Economic Society

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Government, Political Parties
Cover of the book The Right Talk by Mark A. Smith, Princeton University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Mark A. Smith ISBN: 9781400830718
Publisher: Princeton University Press Publication: July 24, 2011
Imprint: Princeton University Press Language: English
Author: Mark A. Smith
ISBN: 9781400830718
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Publication: July 24, 2011
Imprint: Princeton University Press
Language: English

Political analyst Mark Smith offers the most original and compelling explanation yet of why America has swung to the right in recent decades. How did the GOP transform itself from a party outgunned and outmaneuvered into one that defines the nation's most important policy choices?

Conventional wisdom attributes the Republican resurgence to a political bait and switch--the notion that conservatives win elections on social issues like abortion and religious expression, but once in office implement far-reaching policies on the economic issues downplayed during campaigns. Smith illuminates instead the eye-opening reality that economic matters have become more central, not less, to campaigns and the public agenda. He analyzes a half century of speeches, campaign advertisements, party platforms, and intellectual writings, systematically showing how Republican politicians and conservative intellectuals increasingly gave economic justifications for policies they once defended through appeals to freedom. He explains how Democrats similarly conceived economic justifications for their own policies, but unlike Republicans they changed positions on issues rather than simply offering new arguments and thus helped push the national discourse inexorably to the right.

The Right Talk brings clarity, reason, and hard-nosed evidence to a contentious subject. Certain to enrich the debate about the conservative ascendancy in America, this book will provoke discussions and reactions for years to come.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Political analyst Mark Smith offers the most original and compelling explanation yet of why America has swung to the right in recent decades. How did the GOP transform itself from a party outgunned and outmaneuvered into one that defines the nation's most important policy choices?

Conventional wisdom attributes the Republican resurgence to a political bait and switch--the notion that conservatives win elections on social issues like abortion and religious expression, but once in office implement far-reaching policies on the economic issues downplayed during campaigns. Smith illuminates instead the eye-opening reality that economic matters have become more central, not less, to campaigns and the public agenda. He analyzes a half century of speeches, campaign advertisements, party platforms, and intellectual writings, systematically showing how Republican politicians and conservative intellectuals increasingly gave economic justifications for policies they once defended through appeals to freedom. He explains how Democrats similarly conceived economic justifications for their own policies, but unlike Republicans they changed positions on issues rather than simply offering new arguments and thus helped push the national discourse inexorably to the right.

The Right Talk brings clarity, reason, and hard-nosed evidence to a contentious subject. Certain to enrich the debate about the conservative ascendancy in America, this book will provoke discussions and reactions for years to come.

More books from Princeton University Press

Cover of the book Boko Haram by Mark A. Smith
Cover of the book Historical Dynamics by Mark A. Smith
Cover of the book A Philosophy of Culture by Mark A. Smith
Cover of the book Colormute by Mark A. Smith
Cover of the book Nonlinear Optimization by Mark A. Smith
Cover of the book A Short History of Celebrity by Mark A. Smith
Cover of the book The Great Rebalancing by Mark A. Smith
Cover of the book Power, Interdependence, and Nonstate Actors in World Politics by Mark A. Smith
Cover of the book City of Dreams by Mark A. Smith
Cover of the book Slavery and the Culture of Taste by Mark A. Smith
Cover of the book The One vs. the Many by Mark A. Smith
Cover of the book The Modern Spirit of Asia by Mark A. Smith
Cover of the book Ethics in an Age of Terror and Genocide by Mark A. Smith
Cover of the book Four Archetypes by Mark A. Smith
Cover of the book The Nobel Factor by Mark A. Smith
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy