Leviathan on the Right: How Big-Government Conservativism Brought Down the Republican Revolution

by Michael D. Tanner Cato Institute

Despite an ostensibly conservative Republican president and republican control of Congress, government is bigger and more intrusive than ever. That is not by accident; it is the conscious aim of a new brand of conservatism that seeks, not to reduce the size of government, but to use big government for conservative ends. This book shows how the Bush administration, Congress, and large parts of the Republican Party and the conservative movement have abandoned traditional conservative ideals and embraced the idea of big government.

Genres: Economics, Politics

320 pages, Hardcover

First published February 15, 2007

Reviews

[Amora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately Republicans aren’t much better than Democrats at controlling the size of government. George W. Bush is a prime example of a Republican that failed to reduce the size of government and instead increased it. Instead of being gloomy, Tanner offers actual solutions for how conservatives can successfully reduce the size of government while appealing to voters. Some might say this book is dated, but the arguments are still persuasive. A lot of data is offered here as well.

[Brian Ruddock · Rating 5 out of 5]

For all the small-government language used by the Republican Party, the last time they were in charge, they oversaw a massive expansion of the state. Cato's Tanner starts with an explanation of how the modern wings of the GOP came to be and their philosophical roots. He then quickly moves to describe how the party lost its way by advocating for Medicare Part D, faith-based initiatives, and more.

For a book that doesn't get a ton of press, it's one of the best nonfiction works I have ever read.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was published by the CATO institute - a libertarian (small government, free markets rule, typically GOP talking points).

This is dated by now as it was published in 2007, but at that time, the opening discussed how the GOP congress under GWB appropiated $91 billion more for domestic programs than the president requested during his first term. Domestic spending increased 27% during G W Bush presidency and that was before a recession. I could go on, but the premise of the book is that the GOP has lost its way and is just as much spend thrifts as the liberals they accuse.

The agenda for small government includes a return to federalism (real federalism, not faux). If the federal government stays out of our bedrooms and states want to regulate, then people will have to opportunity to "vote" not only at elections but also with their feet. Cut spending, reform entitlements, and Pass Term Limits! Statistics show the longer a senator/rep is in congress, the more they spend and the more they are "influnced" by big money.

Next - Replacing Obama Care by Tanner.

[DJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big government mentality is as acidic to the American way of life regardless of which side it comes from. Tanner scathingly indicts the right for abandoning their small government roots and lays out a clear path the right must take in order to reestablish themselves as the ideological and practical leaders of America and the free world.

I loved it.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A balanced view of the Conservative side of politics and how they have lost sight of their original goals.

[Craig Bolton]

Leviathan on the Right : how big-government conservatism brought down the Republican revolution by Michael Tanner (2007)