The Carter-Reagan Transition : American Society in the 1980s International Context

This research project aims to investigate the roots of contemporary political and social polarization in the US, examining how American society has evolved and why shared national consensus has weakened. The central objective is to identify the key drivers behind this paradigm shift. To this end, the study focuses on the pivotal presidential transition from Jimmy Carter to Ronald Reagan between the late 1970s and early 1980s, evaluating its role in shaping the trajectory of polarization in the US through to the present day. This transition represents a defining moment of political, social, and ideological change in the US, that significantly reshaped the American social fabric. The study is organized into five chapters, each addressing different dimensions of this transformation.The conclusion reflects on how such pivotal transitions can reshape the political, social, and economic foundations of a nation. Lastly, it also considers possible measures to reduce the divisive impact of future transfers of power and suggests avenues for further academic research.