An Empire of Ideals—The Chimeric Imagination of Ronald Reagan

""An Empire of Ideals" provides an original and groundbreaking analysis of Ronald Reagan's imagination as it was expressed mainly in his presidential speeches. The book argues that the predominant strain of Reagan's imagination is "chimeric," that is, imbued with a high degree of optimism, romantic dreaminess, naivet, and illusion. Justin D. Garrison challenges a number of existing assumptions about Reagan. Among other things, it draws into question Reagan's self-proclaimed status as a conservative and as a faithful adherent to the ideas of the American Founding. The book concludes that Reagan's vision contains many dubious elements that present dangers for practical politics. It also claims that the popularity of Reagan's imagination among Americans suggests a problematic self-understanding. Surpassing existing works on Reagan's ideas and speeches, the book systematically explains the general quality and major components of Reagan's vision, and it draws upon political theory, aesthetics, and American political thought to analyze his imagination. Although the book is a rigorous work of scholarship, it is not a highly "technical" study accessible only to academic specialists. It will be of deep interest to general readers as well as scholars. "--

Justin D. Garrison earned his doctorate in political theory from Catholic University. His research and teaching interests include political theory, American political thought, literature and politics, and aesthetics and politics.