The Conservative Heart

Economist Arthur C. Brooks, president of the American Enterprise Institute, argues that conservatism should move past its long focus on economic growth and traditional social values and become a movement that helps vulnerable people without loading debt onto the next generation. In his account it would fight poverty, widen opportunity, honor earned success and value spiritual life. Drawing on years of research into what makes people happy, Brooks names four institutions of meaning: faith, meaningful work, family and community. He combines reporting, his own research and case studies. The intended readers are frustrated conservatives and independents who feel neither party speaks for them.

Jamie Dimon was reported to have it on his summer reading list when McKinsey asked a group of chief executives what they planned to read.