Abstract
FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO RESIST AND OVERCOME the many manifestations of vulgarity in contemporary American life, it may seem apposite to turn for inspiration to the vision and ideas of Ronald Reagan. He has been described by a number of scholars, politicians, and ordinary Americans as a man and president who embodied the American spirit. Many people consider him a model conservative in American politics. Reagan had long-standing and deep attachments to individual liberty, free markets, limited government, decentralized power, and traditional moral values. As president, he shared with Americans his understanding of these and other ideas in numerous speeches. More so than most presidents, Reagan appealed to the imagination of Americans; that is, he used concrete images and illustrative stories to convey his vision of America and its people in a captivating and memorable way. Reagan was also a very likeable political leader, quick with a smile and a handshake, and he was rather humble in his personal conduct. His affability and personal modesty have no doubt contributed to the enduring appeal of his intuitive sense of politics. Yet a careful analysis suggests that Reagan’s imagination may not be the model of modest republicanism that some might suspect.
Published Version
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