New book

Eddie Ashbee’s new book,
The Bush Administration, Sex and the Moral Agenda has just been published by Manchester University Press. The book is a study of the ways in which the Bush White House has approached the cultural issues that often appear to have defined the US political process in recent years. It looks at abortion policy, the “wars” around gay rights and same-sex marriage, the spread of “abstinence-only” sex education programmes, the campaign to promote “healthy marriage”, as well as efforts to rein in obscenity and indecency. Its coverage includes the political battles around “partial birth abortion” the efforts to pass the Marriage Protection Amendment, and the controversies surrounding Janet Jackson’s “wardrobe malfunction”.

In contrast with many other accounts,
The Bush Administration, Sex and the Moral Agenda suggests that, at least during his first term in office, President Bush pursued a skilful course that accommodated the views of both the individuals and organisations associated with the Christian right and moderate, middle-ground opinion. This helped him secure re-election in November 2004.

Eddie Ashbee is an Associate Professor in the Center for the Study of the Americas at Copenhagen Business School. His earlier publications include studies of the US political system, elections, immigration, and cultural trends.

The Bush Administration, Sex and the Moral Agenda is published by Manchester University Press.