Daily: How REAGANISM still ruins America – with historian Rick Perlstein

World War II seemed to mark the end of American conservatism, and a new liberal age. Then Reagan came along – and we’re still living with the consequences. What explains the dominance of conservatism in modern American politics? Historian Rick Perlstein talks to Dorian Lynskey about his new book, Reaganland, the finale of a three-part saga about the cutthroat strategies of the conservatives behind America’s rightwards shift…

• “Reagan’s inauguration was a hinge in American history.”
• “Before Reagan, conservatism was seen as irrelevant in America.” 
• 1970s America was looking for a hero. They were looking for Superman, not moral ambiguity.” 
• “Reagan wanted to write a book about how he fought the Reds of Hollywood…he was living a fantasy in his own head.”
• “It’s the difference between the dog whistle and the train whistle.”

Presented by Dorian Lynskey. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

 

https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/Rick-Perlstein/Reaganland--Americas-Right-Turn-1976-1980/25991906

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