Ronald Reagan, a figure long revered in American politics, is the subject of a new biography by Max Boot that challenges many long-held perceptions about the 40th president. This comprehensive work, begun 11 years ago, offers a fresh perspective on Reagan's life and legacy, stripping away myths to reveal a more complex and nuanced leader.
Born approximately 113 years ago in the Midwest, Reagan's journey from small-town America to Hollywood and eventually the White House is a quintessential American story. His presidency, which began 44 years ago, was marked by significant events that shaped the latter part of the 20th century.
Boot's biography paints a picture of Reagan as a pragmatic leader rather than an ideologue. Despite his conservative rhetoric, Reagan often made decisions that contradicted his stated principles. For instance, he raised taxes more often than he lowered them, both as governor of California and as president. His economic policies, dubbed "Reaganomics," were more Keynesian than supply-side in practice, relying heavily on government borrowing to finance economic expansion.
"Reagan practiced Keynesian, not supply-side, economics by financing an economic expansion with government borrowing."
One of Reagan's most significant achievements was his role in ending the Cold War. However, Boot argues that Reagan's contribution was less direct than often portrayed. The author suggests that the breakup of the Soviet Union was primarily due to Mikhail Gorbachev's refusal to use force to hold it together, rather than Reagan's increased military spending or confrontational policies.
Reagan's presidency saw several notable accomplishments, including the appointment of Sandra Day O'Connor as the first woman on the Supreme Court in 1981. He also signed the Immigration Reform and Control Act in 1986, granting amnesty to certain illegal immigrants. However, his tenure was not without controversy, with the Iran-Contra affair becoming a major scandal during his second term.
Boot's biography also draws parallels between Reagan and more recent political figures, particularly Donald Trump. While acknowledging significant differences between the two, Boot notes similarities in their populist appeal and use of slogans like "Make America Great Again." The author suggests that Reagan's loose relationship with facts may have paved the way for the acceptance of Trump's more extreme fabulism.
Reagan's lasting legacy, according to Boot, is complex. His success in restoring American confidence after the tumultuous 1970s, particularly in rebuilding military morale, is considered one of his most significant achievements. However, his economic policies also led to increased income inequality, which has had long-lasting effects on American society and politics.
As we look back on Reagan's presidency 36 years after he left office, Boot's biography offers a valuable reassessment of his impact and relevance to modern politics. It reminds us that while Reagan's geniality and optimism are often remembered fondly, his actual policies and their consequences were far more complex and continue to shape American politics today.