"An empire of ideals" : the chimeric imagination of Ronald Reagan / Justin D. Garrison.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Garrison, Justin D., author.

Series:

Routledge research in American politics and governance ; 5.

Routledge research in American politics and governance ; 5

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Reagan, Ronald--Language.

Reagan, Ronald.

Reagan, Ronald--Rhetoric.

Rhetoric--Political aspects--United States--History--20th century.

Rhetoric.

Communication in politics--United States--History--20th century.

Communication in politics.

National characteristics, American--Political aspects--History--20th century.

National characteristics, American.

Optimism--Political asepcts--United States--History--20th century.

Optimism.

United States--Politics and government--1981-1989.

United States.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (249 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

New York : Routledge, 2013.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

"Justin D. Garrison provides an original and groundbreaking analysis of Ronald Reagan's imagination as it was expressed mainly in his presidential speeches. He argues that the predominant strain of Reagan's imagination is "chimeric," that is, imbued with a high degree of optimism, romantic dreaminess, naivete, and illusion. Reagan spoke often about religion, democracy, freedom, conservatism, progress, America's role in the world, the American people, the American Founding, and peace. These are for him important symbols, which together express his general vision of politics and human existence. These symbols have to be analyzed in depth in order to understand who Reagan really was and what he represented to his admirers. The book concludes that Reagan's vision contains many dubious elements that present dangers for practical politics and claims that the popularity of Reagan's imagination among Americans suggests a problematic self-understanding. Surpassing, existing works on Reagan's ideas and speeches, this book systematically explains the general quality and major components of Reagan's vision, and it draws upon political theory, aesthetics, and American political thought to analyze his imagination"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Cover; "An Empire of Ideals"; Title Page; Copyright Page; Table of Contents; Permissions; Acknowledgments; Introduction: The Enduring Appeal and Importance of Ronald Reagan's Imagination; 1 Ronald Reagan: A Biographical Sketch; 2 The Imagination: A Philosophical Elucidation; 3 "A Talent for Happiness": Ronald Reagan, Optimism, and Politics; 4 "I Hear America Singing": Ronald Reagan and the American People; 5 "The Mystic Chords of Memory": Ronald Reagan and the American Revolution; 6 "Puzzle Palaces on the Potomac": Ronald Reagan and Contemporary American Government

7 "A Crusade for Freedom": Ronald Reagan and America's Role in the World8 "A Cathedral of Peace": Ronald Reagan and Peace among Nations; 9 "The Land of Limitless Possibilities": Ronald Reagan, Progress, Technology, and America; 10 "A Shining City upon a Hill": Ronald Reagan, Religion, and America; Conclusion: An Empire of Illusions? The Chimeric Imagination of Ronald Reagan; Notes; Selected Bibliography; Index

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on metadata supplied by the publisher and other sources.

ISBN:

0-203-58123-7

1-299-28016-1

1-136-67568-X

9780203581230

OCLC:

830160953