The First Steps—and a Few Beyond

What are the first steps—and then a few beyond—that a newly elected administration should take in 1989? If the Republicans win, the most we can expect is a backing-away from the more extreme versions of Reaganism. But suppose a Democrat, any Democrat, wins? What should be done to turn the country toward a progressive direction?

We can’t even start answering such pragmatic questions unless we place them in a larger context. America is in the midst of a wrenching historical tra...