Summary:
The speech delivered by Ronald Reagan in 1964, commonly known as “A Time for Choosing,” in support of Barry Goldwater’s presidential candidacy, marks a decisive turning point in the history of American conservatism.
This key moment, often regarded as the launch of Reagan’s political career, not only redefined the ideological landscape of the United States but also laid the groundwork for a modern conservative movement fiercely opposed to communism and the expansion of the welfare state.
This speech, with its clear principles, paved the way for the rise of political figures like Reagan himself, and later, Donald Trump.
This article explores the scope of this speech, the key concepts of conservatism it embodies, and its enduring legacy, drawing on ideas from renowned intellectuals to add depth to this reflection.
Historical Context: The Cold War and the Rise of Conservatism.
In the 1960s, the United States was immersed in the Cold War, a period marked by an intense ideological struggle between liberal capitalism and Soviet communism.
The fear of communist expansion, amplified by events like the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, fueled a climate of tension. At the same time, the welfare state, embodied by Franklin Roosevelt’s “New Deal” policies and Lyndon Johnson’s “Great Society,” raised growing concerns among those who saw it as a threat to individual freedom and the market economy.
It was in this context that Barry Goldwater, senator from Arizona and Republican presidential candidate in 1964, emerged as a central figure in nascent conservatism.
Goldwater, often nicknamed the “father of modern conservatism,” advocated a return to the fundamental principles of classical liberalism: limited government, the primacy of individual freedom, and fierce opposition to collectivism in all its forms, whether embodied by communism or an overreaching federal state.
His book “The Conscience of a Conservative” (1960) quickly became a reference for the conservative movement, articulating a clear and uncompromising vision.
However, his 1964 campaign was marked by a crushing defeat against Lyndon Johnson, partly due to his image perceived as extreme by a portion of the moderate electorate.
It was in this context that Ronald Reagan, then an actor and television host, delivered his speech in favor of Goldwater on October 27, 1964.
This speech, broadcast on national television, did more than just support Goldwater; it crystallized an ideological vision that would resonate for decades.
“A Time for Choosing”: The Key Concepts of Reagan’s Speech.
Reagan’s speech, titled “A Time for Choosing,” is much more than a simple electoral plea.
It is a statement of principles, a passionate defense of individual freedom against what Reagan perceived as an existential threat: the expansion of government and the influence of communism.
Several key concepts emerge from this text, which would become pillars of modern conservatism:
- The Primacy of Individual Freedom.
Reagan begins his speech by posing a fundamental question: Will Americans choose freedom or servitude?
For him, individual freedom is the foundation of prosperity and America’s greatness.
He draws inspiration here from the ideas of philosopher John Locke, who in the 17th century asserted that the legitimacy of government rests on its ability to protect individuals’ natural rights, particularly freedom and property.
Reagan declares: “This is not a question of material comfort, but of individual freedom.”
This idea, central to conservative thought, echoes intellectuals like Friedrich Hayek, whose book “The Road to Serfdom” (1944) warns against the erosion of freedoms through the expansion of the state.
Reagan criticizes the social programs of the Democratic administration, accusing them of undermining citizens’ autonomy by making them dependent on the state.
This criticism echoes the thought of Milton Friedman, economist and advocate of the free market, who in “Capitalism and Freedom” (1962) argues that economic freedom is inseparable from political freedom.
By drawing on these ideas, Reagan lays the foundations of an economic conservatism that would dominate the following decades.
- Fervent Anticommunism.
One of the most striking aspects of Reagan’s speech is its virulent anticommunism, a reflection of the Cold War era.
He describes communism as a global threat, not only to the United States but to the entire free world.
“We are at war with the most dangerous enemy humanity has ever known,” he asserts, referring to the Soviet Union.
This rhetoric aligns with thinkers like William F. Buckley Jr., a central figure in American intellectual conservatism and founder of the magazine “National Review.”
Buckley argued that the fight against communism was a matter of survival for Western civilization, an idea that Reagan amplified with rare eloquence.
Reagan does not limit himself to denouncing communism abroad; he also warns against what he perceives as collectivist tendencies within the United States itself.
He criticizes redistribution policies and bureaucratic expansion, which he associates with a slide toward socialism.
This position reflects the influence of Ayn Rand, whose novel “Atlas Shrugged” (1957) exalts individualism and condemns any form of collectivism.
- The Limited Role of Government.
Another central theme of the speech is the need to limit the role of government.
Reagan draws direct inspiration here from Goldwater, who in “The Conscience of a Conservative” advocated a return to minimal government, in line with the vision of the Founding Fathers.
Reagan declares: “The government that governs least governs best,” paraphrasing Thomas Jefferson.
This idea, popularized by thinkers like Russell Kirk, author of “The Conservative Mind” (1953), emphasizes that American conservatism rests on an attachment to constitutional traditions and distrust of state interventionism.
Reagan illustrates this point by criticizing costly federal programs, which he deems ineffective and contrary to principles of individual responsibility.
He cites concrete examples, such as bureaucratic inefficiencies or the excesses of social aid, to convince his audience that the welfare state erodes the nation’s moral and economic fiber.
The Legacy of Goldwater and Reagan: From 1964 to Trump.
Although Barry Goldwater lost the 1964 election, his influence and that of Reagan’s speech were decisive for the future of the Republican Party and American conservatism.
Goldwater paved the way for an ideological transformation of the party, refocusing it on clear conservative principles: individual freedom, free market, anticommunism, and distrust of the federal government.
Reagan, building on these ideas, perfected their articulation and made them accessible to a broad audience.
When Reagan ascended to the presidency in 1981, he implemented a conservative revolution, marked by:
tax cuts,
economic deregulation, and
a muscular foreign policy against the Soviet Union.
As historian George H. Nash notes, author of “The Conservative Intellectual Movement in America” (1976), Reagan succeeded in transforming Goldwater’s ideas into a viable political movement capable of appealing to a majority of Americans.
His slogan, “Morning in America,” embodies this conservative optimism, contrasting with the pessimism of the 1970s.
The legacy of Goldwater and Reagan extends to the emergence of Donald Trump.
Although Trump does not share exactly the same ideology as his predecessors—his conservatism is more populist and less anchored in intellectual orthodoxy—he fits into their lineage of distrust toward elites, rejection of the political establishment, and desire to defend national interests.
Like Reagan, Trump knew how to capture the attention of an electorate frustrated by the expansion of the state and globalist policies.
Historian Victor Davis Hanson, in “The Case for Trump” (2019), argues that Trump took up the torch of conservatism by reorienting it toward economic nationalism and criticism of international institutions, while retaining the combative spirit of Reagan and Goldwater.
A Timeless Vision?
Reagan’s 1964 speech remains a reference for understanding the evolution of American conservatism.
By articulating a clear vision of individual freedom, anticommunism, and limited government, Reagan not only gave a voice to Goldwater but also laid the groundwork for a movement that continues to influence American politics.
The ideas he defended—supported by intellectuals like Hayek, Friedman, Buckley, and Kirk—remain relevant in contemporary debates on the role of the state, economic freedom, and national security.
However, the legacy of this speech is not without controversy.
Critics argue that Reagan’s conservatism, by emphasizing deregulation and tax cuts, exacerbated economic inequalities.
Others, like political scientist Corey Robin in “The Reactionary Mind” (2011), contend that conservatism, from Goldwater to Trump, rests on a logic of reaction against progressive advances, rather than a positive and coherent vision.
These criticisms, while pertinent, do not detract from the rhetorical power and historical impact of Reagan’s speech.
Conclusions.
Ronald Reagan’s “A Time for Choosing” speech in 1964 is much more than an electoral moment; it is a founding declaration of modern conservatism.
By building on Barry Goldwater’s ideas and amplifying them with unmatched eloquence, Reagan not only laid the foundations of his own political career but also redefined the Republican Party and influenced generations of leaders, up to Donald Trump.
By articulating the principles of individual freedom, anticommunism, and limited government, he gave a voice to millions of Americans and shaped the ideological landscape of the United States.
As Edmund Burke, often considered the father of modern conservatism, wrote, “Liberty exists only where laws protect the rights of individuals.”
Reagan, in 1964, knew how to recall this truth with a force that still resonates today.