Barry Goldwater and the Unmaking of the American Consensus

Subtitle: The Rise of the Conservative Movement and the Fracturing of the Two-Party System

In his book "Barry Goldwater and the Unmaking of the American Consensus," historian Rick Perlstein chronicles the life and career of the Arizona senator who became the standard-bearer of the conservative movement in the 1960s. Perlstein argues that Goldwater's rise to prominence was a major turning point in American politics, leading to the decline of the New Deal consensus and the rise of the modern conservative movement.

Before the Storm: Barry Goldwater and the Unmaking of the American Consensus

by Rick Perlstein

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
File size	:	3510 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	705 pages

FREE

Goldwater was born in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1909. He entered politics in the 1940s, serving in the Arizona House of Representatives and the United States Senate. In the 1960s, he emerged as a leading voice of the conservative movement, opposing the New Deal and the Great Society programs of the Democratic Party.

In 1964, Goldwater won the Republican presidential nomination. His campaign was a disaster, however, as he was defeated in a landslide by incumbent Democratic President Lyndon Johnson. Goldwater's defeat was seen as a major setback for the conservative movement, but it also helped to galvanize the movement and lay the groundwork for its future successes.

In the years after his defeat, Goldwater continued to be a leading voice of the conservative movement. He supported the Vietnam War, opposed abortion and gun control, and advocated for free markets and limited government. Goldwater's views became increasingly influential in the Republican Party, and he helped to lay the groundwork for the conservative resurgence of the 1980s.

Goldwater died in 1998. He is remembered as a conservative icon and a major figure in the rise of the conservative movement in the United States. Perlstein's book "Barry Goldwater and the Unmaking of the American Consensus" is a valuable resource for understanding Goldwater's life and career, and the impact he had on American politics.

The Rise of the Conservative Movement

The conservative movement in the United States emerged in the 1950s as a reaction to the New Deal and the Great Society programs of the Democratic Party. Conservatives argued that these programs were too expensive, too intrusive, and too damaging to individual liberty.

Goldwater was one of the leading voices of the conservative movement in the 1960s. He opposed the New Deal and the Great Society, and he advocated for free markets and limited government. Goldwater's views were popular with many Americans who were disillusioned with the Democratic Party and its liberal policies.

The conservative movement gained momentum in the 1970s and 1980s. In 1980, Ronald Reagan was elected president on a conservative platform. Reagan's election marked a major victory for the conservative movement, and it helped to solidify the conservative agenda in American politics.

The conservative movement has continued to be a major force in American politics. Conservatives have controlled the Republican Party for decades, and they have been successful in passing legislation that reflects their views on taxes, spending, and social issues.

The Fracturing of the Two-Party System

The rise of the conservative movement has led to the fracturing of the two-party system in the United States. In the past, the Republican and Democratic parties were relatively moderate, and they competed for the votes of centrist voters. However, the rise of the conservative movement has led to the polarization of the two parties. The Republican Party has become increasingly conservative, while the Democratic Party has become increasingly liberal.

The polarization of the two parties has made it difficult for them to compromise and pass legislation. This has led to gridlock in Washington, D.C., and it has made it difficult for the government to address the challenges facing the country.

The fracturing of the two-party system is likely to continue in the years to come. The Republican and Democratic parties are becoming increasingly polarized, and it is becoming increasingly difficult for them to find common ground. This is likely to lead to continued gridlock in Washington, D.C., and it will make it difficult for the government to address the challenges facing the country.

Barry Goldwater was a major figure in the rise of the conservative movement and the fracturing of the two-party system in the United States. His views on government, economics, and social issues were popular with many Americans who were disillusioned with the Democratic Party and its liberal policies. Goldwater's defeat in the 1964 presidential election was a setback for the conservative movement, but it also helped to galvanize the movement and lay the groundwork for its future successes.

The conservative movement has continued to be a major force in American politics. Conservatives have controlled the Republican Party for decades, and they have been successful in passing legislation that reflects their views on taxes, spending, and social issues. The rise of the conservative movement has led to the fracturing of the two-party system in the United States. The Republican and Democratic parties are becoming increasingly polarized, and it is becoming increasingly difficult for them to find common ground. This is likely to

Before the Storm: Barry Goldwater and the Unmaking of the American Consensus

by Rick Perlstein

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
File size	:	3510 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	705 pages

FREE