From Reagan to Trump

In four decades, the Republican Party has undergone one of the most dramatic political transformations in American history. The party of Ronald Reagan-characterized by principled conservatism, institutional respect, and democratic norms-has evolved into something unrecognizable: an authoritarian populist movement that shares more in common with far-right parties in Hungary and Poland than with traditional center-right parties in established democracies.Through rigorous comparative analysis and international perspective, From Reagan to Trump traces this evolution from Reagan’s 'big tent' conservatism through Gingrich’s politics of confrontation, the rise of conspiracy theories and Christian nationalism, to Trump’s hostile takeover and the party’s current authoritarian trajectory. Daniel Payne demonstrates how a series of deliberate choices by political entrepreneurs, media personalities, and religious leaders systematically dismantled the intellectual and institutional foundations of responsible conservative governance.This is not a story of gradual policy shifts or normal political evolution, but rather the chronicle of a democratic party’s capture by illiberal forces using tactics pioneered by competitive authoritarian movements worldwide. Drawing on extensive research and international comparisons, Payne reveals how the GOP’s transformation represents not merely a domestic political development but a fundamental threat to American democracy and global democratic stability.Essential reading for anyone seeking to understand contemporary American politics, this book provides both a sobering analysis of democratic erosion and a roadmap for potential democratic renewal. At a time when the stakes could not be higher, From Reagan to Trump offers the clarity and urgency needed to recognize the true nature of America’s democratic crisis.