Chapter Eight: The Ascendancy of Ronald Reagan and the Parts Played by Ideology and Race

The chapter examines the rise of the conservative movement and the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980, emphasizing the direct correlation between racism and conservative white nationalism.

• Conservatism and Racism: The author argues that conservatism in the U.S. is inherently tied to racism, suggesting that conservative ideologies upheld the subordination of African Americans. This connection is crucial for understanding the dynamics of conservative politics during Reagan's ascent.

• Political Strategy: Conservatives are posited to have used racism as a tactic for securing electoral victories rather than being driven solely by racial animus. They skillfully avoided explicit racist rhetoric due to the prevailing societal norms insisting on racial equality.

• Historical Context: The conservative movement emerged as a response to liberal policies stemming from the New Deal and civil rights legislation. Figures like Milton Friedman, William Buckley, Barry Goldwater, and Reagan not only influenced conservative philosophy but also integrated white nationalist sentiments into their agendas.

• Racism as an Electoral Tool: A seminal moment discussed is Reagan's 1980 campaign launch near Philadelphia, Mississippi, which was associated with historical civil rights violence, spotlighting racist motivations that undergirded his political strategy. Critics and defenders of Reagan engaged in a debate over whether his actions reflected personal racism or pragmatic politics.

• Reagan's Political Identity: Despite claiming to advocate for racial equality and denying personal racism, Reagan's Lockean conservative policies often resulted in adverse outcomes for civil rights. For instance, his reluctance to support the continuation of the Voting Rights Act and affirmative action policies exemplified ideologies that prioritized property rights and individualism over systemic racial equity.

• Electoral Outcomes: The chapter concludes by illustrating how Reagan's presidency laid the groundwork for a conservative political landscape increasingly resistant to federal intervention in racial issues, effectively intertwining racism with the burgeoning conservative movement during the 1980s. The legacy of his administration continues to affect Republican party policies on race and welfare, revealing the long-lasting implications of the fusion between conservatism and white nationalism at the national level.