[Books](/books) ![Media Name: leftright.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/serial_cover_phone/public/books/leftright.jpg?itok=ijeUklH7) Join the Conversation [\#CatoBooks](https://x.com/hashtag/CatoBooks) # Left, Right & Babyboom: America’s New Politics June 1986 • Published By Cato Institute By [David Boaz](https://www.cato.org/people/david-boaz) Join the Conversation [\#CatoBooks](https://x.com/hashtag/CatoBooks) What impact will the babyboom generation have on American politics in 1988 and beyond? How do babyboomers differ from their parents — and from their younger brothers and sisters? How can Democrats and Republicans appeal to them? These are just some of the questions considered in this pathbreaking book by more than a dozen of America’s most insightful political analysts. Among the other topics discussed are the inadequacy of the liberal-conservative spectrum, the role of ideas in American politics, and the future of the political parties. *Left, Right, and Babyboom* is the first book to explain just what political analysts mean when they describe baby boomers as economically conservative but socially liberal — and what that combination of views means for the system. This book is a lively introduction to the post-1984 political world. It is must reading for candidates, campaign consultants, journalists, and political observers. Among the journalists who have relied on this book are George F. Will, the *Washington Post,* *The Wall Street Journal,* and *Fortune* magazine. The authors in *Left, Right & Babyboom: America’s New Politics* include: - Lee Atwater, Deputy campaign director, Reagan-Bush ’84 - Michael Barone, Coauthor, *Almanac of American Politics* - David Boaz, Executive Vice President, Cato Institute - Pat Caddell Campaign strategist for Jimmy Carter and Gary Hart - Terry Nichols Clark, Senior study director, National Opinion Research Center - Edward H. Crane, President, Cato Institute - Marvin Field Director, California Poll - Paul Kleppner Professor of history and political science, Northern Illinois University - Dotty Lynch, Political editor, CBS News - William S. Maddox and Stuart A. Lilie, Coauthors, *Beyond Liberal and Conservative* - William Schneider, Resident fellow, American Enterprise Institute - Paul H. Weaver, Author, *The End of the Corporate State* - Vin Weber, former Republican congressman, Minnesota - Tim Wirth, former Democratic congressman, Colorado ##### About the Editor Cato’s former executive vice president, David Boaz, who passed away in 2024, was a provocative commentator on a broad range of political and cultural issues; he played a key role in the development of the Cato Institute and the libertarian movement.