Heather Cox Richardson on History, Conservatism, and the Awakening of American Democracy
Sep 26, 2023
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In this podcast, Heather Cox Richardson, a Professor of History at Boston College, discusses interesting topics such as patriotism and conservatism, the rise and fall of the liberal consensus, the connection between capitalism, democracy, and authoritarianism, the evolution of the GOP, and finding hope for democracy in the face of a potential 2024 Donald Trump presidency.
Conservatism should be defined as conserving what already exists, rather than pushing a specific ideology.
Reclaiming and reinforcing the liberal consensus is crucial for preserving democracy in the United States.
Democracy awakening requires well-informed, engaged citizens actively participating in democracy to protect its value.
Deep dives
The Conservative Ideals and the Misuse of the Term
The podcast episode explores the concept of conservatism and how it is often misunderstood in modern political discourse. It delves into the definition of conservatism as conserving what already exists, without reference to a specific ideology. The episode emphasizes the importance of stability and slow change in government as opposed to the imposition of an ideology. It also criticizes the current use of the term conservative, pointing out that many self-proclaimed conservatives are actually pushing their own ideologies rather than preserving traditional values. The episode highlights the need to reclaim the term conservative for those who advocate for protecting equality before the law and the right to have a say in the government, as envisioned in the Declaration of Independence.
The Liberal Consensus and Democracy
The podcast episode discusses the liberal consensus that emerged in America in the 1930s and 1940s. It outlines the core principles of the liberal consensus, including the role of government in regulating business, providing social safety nets, promoting infrastructure, and protecting civil rights. The episode highlights that this consensus was shared by both Republicans and Democrats and represented a belief in the importance of a democratic government. However, it also explores the breakdown of the liberal consensus, particularly through the influence of certain groups like business elites and racist southerners. The episode argues that reclaiming and reinforcing the liberal consensus is crucial for the preservation of democracy in the United States.
Democracy Awakening and the Awakening of Citizens
The podcast episode explores the idea of democracy awakening in the context of historical moments when ordinary citizens woke up to protect and reclaim their democracy. It draws parallels between the period of the 1850s when ordinary Americans fought to preserve democracy against the influence of slaveholders, and the present moment when many Americans have become more politically engaged. The episode highlights the importance of citizens being well-informed, engaged, and actively participating in democracy. It argues that democracy awakening is not about having unanimous agreement on every issue, but rather about recognizing the value of democracy and actively working to protect it.
The Republican Party's shift towards the Southern strategy
The Republican Party's transformation towards the Southern strategy began with Barry Goldwater publicly denouncing desegregation and positioning the use of federal government for civil rights protections as unconstitutional. This shift gained momentum in the 1968 election, where Richard Nixon courted former Dixiecrats and promised to back off on enforcing desegregation if they stayed with the Republican Party. Nixon's presidency saw the division of the country into 'us' versus 'them,' demonizing groups like people of color, indigenous Americans, black Americans, and women who wanted to work outside the home. This divisive strategy continued to shape politics beyond Nixon's administration.
The complex legacy of Richard Nixon and democracy
Richard Nixon's presidency marked a transition from the post-war period to a new era defined by a different kind of politics. While initially seen as a McCarthyite and a continuation of the Eisenhower tradition, Nixon also pursued economic policies that deviated from the conservative principles of his predecessor, such as instituting wage and price controls. His administration experimented with tactics to undermine democratic elections, as seen in the case of Chile and the tactics employed by the Nixon administration. The idea of state power as the stronghold of democracy, known as popular sovereignty, was exploited to maintain an oligarchic system, allowing a small group of elites to control voting rights and suppress democracy. This raises questions about the current defense of democracy and the role of the federal government in enforcing civil rights and preventing the transformation into an oligarchy.
Heather Cox Richardson is a Professor of History at Boston College. Her daily newsletter Letters from an American is read by millions. She has a new book out as of today called Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America.
