Reclaiming Conservatism: How a Great Political Movement Got Lost - and How It Can Find Its Way Back

by Mickey Edwards

The conservative movement--which once nominated Barry Goldwater for President, and later elected Ronald Reagan--was based on a distinctly American kind of conservatism which drew its inspiration directly from the United States Constitution--in particular, an overriding belief in individual liberty and limited government. But today, Edwards argues, the mantle of conservatism has been taken over by people whose beliefs and policies threaten the entire constitutional system of government. By abetting an imperial presidency, he contends, so-called "conservatives" have gutted the system of checks and balances, abandoned due process, and trampled upon our cherished civil liberties. Today's conservatives endorse unprecedented assertions of government power--from the creation of secret prisons to illegal wiretapping. Once, they fought to protect citizens from government intrusion; today, they seem to recognize few limits on what government can do. The movement that was once the Constitution's--and freedom's--strongest defender is now at risk of becoming its most dangerous enemy. Edwards ends with a blueprint for reclaiming the essence of conservatism in America.
Touching upon many current issues, this passionately argued book concludes that many of today's conservatives seem to have it all backwards. They have turned conservatism upside down--and this book calls them on it.

Genres: Politics, Political Science

230 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2008

Reviews

[Amora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edwards wrote this during the Bush Administration’s time so this is a bit dated. That said, this is a great book. Edwards argues that conservatism started trading away their principles in exchange for short-term victories. One example Edwards gives is conservatives pushing for Bush to have a line-item veto even though it would’ve expanded the size of the executive branch. A lot of thoughtful criticism in this book.

[Marky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about conservatism now and then. Conservatism in the past was more related to it's moralities. Today, conservatism has become the very thing they feared 40 years ago, in many ways. I am a strict conservative, and stand for the principles that many conservatives stand for as well. But a new kind of conservatism has been brought into the senate. Now I believe this kind of conservatism has liberalism hiding under it. I stand for the principles that Ronald Reagan stood for.
Now, conservatism used to be about individual citizen rights and limited government power and spending. According to this politics, the government needed to stay as far away as possible from the citizens. These days, that has become just the opposite. With acts such as the Patriot Act, to detect domestic terrorism, the government is much closer to us than we want it to be. With this act, the government is allowed to listen to your phone calls, read your e-mails, and view your history. This isn't limited government. It is quite the opposite.
Although I am for defeating foreign and domestic terrorism, there is a limit that the government should have. I partially agree with the Patriot Act because it greatly helps the Government defeat terrorism in our backyards. But on the other hand, there should also be a set limit to how close the government can get to you.

[Philski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. I agree with 90% of it. His points about using the Republican party as a vehicle and pointing out the un-conservativeness of President Bush were very true. He also railed on Newt Gingrich with good reason - however he left out a lot of the good Newt did which aligns with conservatism (some points in Contract with America, how he held Clinton in check for 6 years, leveraging the separation of the executive and the legislative).

One point I strongly disagree with is abortion, he believes that, as conservatives should not encroach on the liberties of its citizens including a woman's right to choose. He says the separation of church and state gives this issue no standing in a true Conservative (constitution-believing and enforcing) representative. What he ignores is the right of the infant who is born. We can have rational discussions about this without invoking religion. And we must.

The other point is legal rights for non-US citizens. He rails against the lack of Habeus Corpus for for aggressors in the War on Terror, stating the Bill of Rights guarantees it. Well, these are not US citizens. He winds up backtracking and saying it's a grey area, but it really is not. The Bill of Rights is for citizens, not non-citizens. He is correct in the overreaching of the executive but trying to paint it as a black and white issue is disingenuous.

Otherwise, good book, some good one-liners for discussion and some good points to carry with you.

[Ronspross · Rating 5 out of 5]

The disaster of the Bush administration was aided and abetted by a Republican Congress, which ignored its Constitutional responsibilities, as the Bush administration was criminally usurping the same. Edwards book is a good explanation, from a "traditional" conservative, of how this happened.

The Constitution only means something if it is followed. And the Bush years showed us that if enough of the people who are in the government just agree to ignore it and do what they want to do, then it means nothing. Will they be held to account? I have my doubts. Unscrupulous partisanship has so polluted the political waters that those who are now in the drivers seat are afraid to exercise their responsibilities because of the fear that they will be accused of political prosecution (and they will; at the end of March we see that the Republicans even as they are out of power are not interested in governing, in the welfare of the country. They are only interested in their power. I do not understand how are any responsible Americans can support them, but apparently many do. We are a nation of sheep, it appears.)

[Isaac · Rating 4 out of 5]

While Mickey Edwards is not the most gifted writer, this book is a stunning read. And while he has a tendency to repeat himself (seriously, he repeats himself) (seriously . . . he'll make the same point like, 20 times) (I'm really not kidding, he does that), the points he makes are extremely valid.

I do agree with his assessment that George W. Bush dealt a terrible blow to true conservatives everywhere, by claiming himself to be a "conservative" and then running one of the most un-conservative presidencies of recent memory. His unabashed attempts to expand the powers of the Presidency, limit the power of Congressional oversight, and his general disregard for the actual text and governmental limits of the constitution, are very plainly spelled out in this book (and then rehashed over and over again).

While I do not agree with Edwards on all of his points, overall it was a revealing book and helped me get back into touch with my conservative roots.

EVERYONE calling themselves a conservative should read this book. You will not agree with everything (as I did not), but it will help you realize how far we have strayed from the Goldwater years of conservatism.

[Terry Earley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I somehow missed adding this book to my list. The definition of "Conservatism" has changes significantly. Edwards, well qualified to define it in its most classic terms, explodes the current myths surrounding those who have co-opted the term.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I am not a conservative, I found this book to be very educational. The republican party used to actually mean something before they sold their soul to the evangelical right and big business. Very good read for everyone.

[Tfarley75 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew there had to be some intellectual basis to conservatism that was not being demonstrated by any of today's 'conservatives'. This book explains it.

[Richard Harden · Rating 5 out of 5]

A timely book, Mickey Edwards has much to say to conservatives, liberals and anyone who calls themselves either without truly understanding what the words mean.

[Maureen Flatley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone who cares about the two party system.

[Sriram · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked how the author went really deep in the analysis, with hidden gems of information scattered throughout the book. In addition, it is very rare to see someone so partisan criticize their own party, so it was interesting to see all the attacks the author made on the modern Republican Party. I would however have had a better read if the book hadn't been as slow as it is-it takes away from all the information.