Conservative at the Core
A New History of American Conservatism
Published on 1. September 2025
Book
Hardback
376 pages
978-0-268-21030-4 (ISBN)
Description
Conservative at the Core unpacks the history, rhetoric, and policies of the American conservative movement and probes the truth about what conservatism actually represents.
Allan J. Lichtman investigates the foundations and history of conservative thought to identify and reveal the central crisis that lies at the heart of conservative principles and today's politics. He explores a century of American conservative politics to demonstrate that professed conservative principles-free enterprise, limited government, fiscal responsibility, states' rights, law and order, personal morality, and American sovereignty-are dispensable notions for public appeal only. Instead, conservatives have only consistently advanced their version of traditional Christian values and support for private (not free) enterprise.
Lichtman provides a sweeping history of the American conservative movement from the end of World War I to the present day. He draws on leaders like Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, Donald J. Trump, and the conservative Democrats responsible for Jim Crow discrimination in the South. Contrary to those who have described Trump as a deviation from professed core principles, Conservative at the Core ultimately argues that Trump and his allies represent the culmination of the American conservative tradition, consistently upholding and fulfilling conservative nationalist values.
Allan J. Lichtman investigates the foundations and history of conservative thought to identify and reveal the central crisis that lies at the heart of conservative principles and today's politics. He explores a century of American conservative politics to demonstrate that professed conservative principles-free enterprise, limited government, fiscal responsibility, states' rights, law and order, personal morality, and American sovereignty-are dispensable notions for public appeal only. Instead, conservatives have only consistently advanced their version of traditional Christian values and support for private (not free) enterprise.
Lichtman provides a sweeping history of the American conservative movement from the end of World War I to the present day. He draws on leaders like Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, Donald J. Trump, and the conservative Democrats responsible for Jim Crow discrimination in the South. Contrary to those who have described Trump as a deviation from professed core principles, Conservative at the Core ultimately argues that Trump and his allies represent the culmination of the American conservative tradition, consistently upholding and fulfilling conservative nationalist values.
Reviews / Votes
"Conservative at the Core is a masterclass in historical clarity and moral courage. While the far-right rewrites history to excuse authoritarianism and justify cruelty, Allan Lichtman cuts through the noise to expose a hard truth: Donald Trump isn't a betrayal of modern American conservatism-he's the logical outcome. For decades, this movement has worshiped corporate power and elevated a warped version of so-called Christian values over the democratic principles that unite our country and bring us together. This is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand how we got here-and how we fight back." -Jim McGovern, US Representative, Massachusetts"A powerful and sobering story. Lichtman explains how we got into this mess-democracy itself in peril and our two-party system in crisis. Conservative at the Core is a must read for anyone who wants to understand American politics in the era of Trump." -Orville Vernon Burton, co-author of Justice Deferred
"In his new book, preeminent political commentator Allan J. Lichtman cuts through the Right's conventional narratives and myths to capture the raw, pragmatic underpinnings of its power. A riveting and essential book for our day." -Darren Dochuk, author of Anointed With Oil
"Lichtman has long been one of the most astute scholarly observers of American politics. This revelatory and timely book is a must read for anyone interested in our current political moment." -Manisha Sinha, author of The Rise and Fall of the Second American Republic
"As timely as it is incisive. If the past is indeed prologue to the future, Lichtman's book is the definitive guide to where conservatives would take us." -Alan Wheat, Former US Representative, Missouri
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Notre Dame IN
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 233 mm
Width: 158 mm
Thickness: 29 mm
Weight
646 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-268-21030-4 (9780268210304)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
09/2025
University of Notre Dame Press
€25.49
Available for download
Person
Allan J. Lichtman is distinguished professor of history at American University. He is the author or co-author of thirteen books, including Thirteen Cracks: Repairing American Democracy after Trump.
Content
1. Dispensable Versus Core Conservative Values
2. Traditional Christian Values
3. Free Enterprise
4. Limited Government
5. Fiscal Responsibility
6. States' Rights
7. Personal Morality and Responsibility
8. Law and Order
9. Strict Construction
10. American Sovereignty
11. Religion, Race, Immigrants, and Sex
12. Donald Trump and Conservatism
2. Traditional Christian Values
3. Free Enterprise
4. Limited Government
5. Fiscal Responsibility
6. States' Rights
7. Personal Morality and Responsibility
8. Law and Order
9. Strict Construction
10. American Sovereignty
11. Religion, Race, Immigrants, and Sex
12. Donald Trump and Conservatism