Jackson Lears, a Professor of History at Rutgers University and an insightful author, delves into the complexities of Ronald Reagan's persona in this engaging discussion. Lears explores Reagan's rise from humble beginnings to the Hollywood spotlight and eventually the White House. He highlights how Reagan's cinematic background shaped his nuclear policy, revealing a fascinating disconnect between idealism and reality. The conversation further examines the lasting implications of Reagan's economic and foreign policies, including their deepening effects on inequality and the emergence of Christian nationalism.
Reagan's charismatic public persona was significantly shaped by his troubled Midwestern upbringing, which he often concealed beneath a facade of optimism.
His presidency enacted policies that exacerbated social and economic inequalities, benefitting the wealthy while neglecting marginalized communities.
Reagan's foreign policy marked a shift towards neoconservatism, intertwining American exceptionalism with interventionist strategies that continue to influence modern politics.
Deep dives
The Art of Legend-Making
Ronald Reagan's ability to craft a personal legend began early in his life as he absorbed the optimistic narratives of Hollywood films, especially those by Frank Capra. He emerged as a charismatic figure who effectively communicated simple answers to complex problems, a style that resonated with many Americans during his political rise. His famous 1964 speech, which supported Barry Goldwater, positioned him as an approachable alternative who could present his reactionary views in a congenial manner. This charm not only captivated audiences but also obscured his personal complexities and the nuance of his political positions, which contributed to the enduring mythology of Reagan.
Childhood Influences and Relational Distances
Reagan's upbringing in a troubled Midwestern home shaped his emotional distance from family and politics alike. Growing up with a father who struggled with alcoholism, Reagan's childhood was marred by family turmoil, which he later glossed over in his public persona. This distance extended into his relationships with his children and his handling of political disputes during his presidency, creating a facade of cheerfulness that masked deeper emotional challenges. While this approach earned him affection from the public, it ultimately hindered his ability to engage with complex political issues and make necessary interpersonal interventions.
Fiction and Historical Reality
Reagan's life and presidency often blurred the lines between fiction and reality, as illustrated by his identification with figures such as George 'The Gipper' Gipp. This identification enabled him to adopt a heroic narrative that served his political ambitions while masking his average upbringing and mediocre athletic abilities. Gipp's legacy became a part of Reagan's own mythology, reframing his public persona in a larger-than-life manner that appealed to the American psyche. Such fabrications were not mere embellishments; they were foundational to how Reagan positioned himself as a leader and shaped the perceptions of him in popular culture.
Reaganomics and Social Inequality
Under Reagan's leadership, the policies enacted significantly contributed to widening social and economic inequalities in America. His administration's focus on deregulation and tax cuts primarily benefited wealthier individuals and corporations, often at the expense of the middle class and marginalized communities. The so-called 'war on drugs' and draconian measures disproportionately impacted African-Americans, leading to an increase in incarceration rates. These domestic policies, although packaged in a narrative of national revival, often ignored the realities faced by a large segment of the American population.
Neoconservatism and Foreign Policy Legacy
Reagan’s foreign policy marked a pivotal shift towards confrontational neoconservatism, seeking to restore American prestige after the Vietnam War. His administration promoted military interventions and a staunch anti-communist stances, very much embodying the ideology of American exceptionalism. The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) reflected this approach, advocating for interventionist policies that sowed discord and resistance in foreign nations under the guise of promoting democracy. Today, the underlying philosophies initiated during Reagan's tenure continue to influence contemporary American foreign policy, showing a lasting legacy that intertwines interventionism with the narrative of restoring national power.
Ronald Reagan, as Jackson Lears wrote recently in the LRB, was a ‘telegenic demagogue’ whose ‘emotional appeal was built on white people’s racism’. His presidency left the United States a far more unequal place at home, with a renewed commitment to deadly imperial adventures abroad. Yet he had a gift for making up stories that ‘made America feel good about itself again’. On the latest episode of the LRB podcast, Lears joins Tom to discuss Reagan’s life and self-made legend, from his hardscrabble Midwestern boyhood to the White House by way of Hollywood, and to consider the lasting effects of his presidency.
