We Can Start a Prairie Fire: Business, taxes and the resurgence of neo-liberal America. A presentation with Solon Simmons

Professor Simmons will be speaking about his recent work on the rise of movements of conservatism in America. 

Abstract:

"I believe we have been going down a dangerous road in this nation. Now I have an opportunity to put these views into practice…we can start a prairie fire that will sweep across a number of states."

Ronald Reagan on Meet the Press May 26th 1968

Among the most dramatic political changes witnessed in the aftermath of World War II was the rise of movement conservatism. While this rising tide was driven by hawkish foreign policy ideas and cultural traditionalism, nothing was more central to the new conservative political mood than its opposition to activist government and class politics. Using data from my "Arguing America on Meet the Press" project, I will demonstrate how this perspective took hold in the insider conversation of the American opinion elite. Given that this material is still under development, I will emphasize methodological and practical issues in the talk.