ronald reagan: the feelgood president

Ronald Reagan’s celebration of America is echoed in the official tributes and memorials that accompany him to the grave. Our writers and columnists reflect on the deeper meaning of President Feelgood.

Monday 4th July

Ronald Reagan and America: the real legacy

Godfrey Hodgson, 4 July 2011

The posthumous inflation of Ronald Reagan’s political achievement is also a covert critique of George W. Bush’s foreign-policy failures. But there are also deep continuities between the two administrations, says Godfrey Hodgson. Plus: Takashi Inoguchi on the US and Japan (archive)

Wednesday 16th June

America and Japan: the political is personal

Takashi Inoguchi, 16 June 2004

Two political partnerships - Ronald Reagan and Yasuhiro Nakasone in the 1980s, George W. Bush and Junichiro Koizumi in the 2000s - helped forge the world’s most important “special relationship”. Takashi Inoguchi explains how personal chemistry smoothed Japan’s route to global influence.

Monday 14th June

Going to the casket

Solana Larsen, 14 June 2004

At 8 years old, Solana Larsen was a guest of Nancy Reagan’s at the White House. Now she returns to Washington to say goodbye to an era and finds personal stories at a political funeral.

Thursday 10th June

Ronald Reagan, the feelgood president

openDemocracy, 10 June 2004

In the 1980s, Ronald Reagan presided over prosperity, destroyed communism, and made Americans feel good about themselves. Is his achievement more myth than reality?

Wednesday 9th June

Reagan: his character and his consequences

Siva Vaidhyanathan, 9 June 2004

Ronald Reagan’s mythic celebration of America is echoed in the official tributes and memorials that accompany him to the grave. Siva Vaidhyanathan acknowledges a genius of evasion whose disastrous social impact carried a saving grace that his Bushite successor lacks.