Understanding Contemporary American Conservatism

Contemporary American conservatism is difficult to define; even conservatives themselves are unable to agree about its essential meaning. Yet the conservative movement is well financed, exerts strong influence in the Republican Party, inspires many followers, and has spawned a mightyu network of think tanks and media outlets. This book examines how that has come about and what contemporary conservatism means for US politics and policy. It looks at the history of conservatism in America as well as its antecedents in the UK, traces changes over time from 1972 to the present in what it means when people say they are conservatives, and assesses the prospects for American conservatism.