Robert A. Goldwin: The Scholar as Teacher, the Teacher as Healer
Among Gerald Ford’s firsts was to be the first Republican to make a place in the White House for a full-time scholar. Given the challenges the nation faced, Ford thought it wise to bring in a Ph.D. who could convene other scholars at the White House to provide historical perspective. And, given that the American Bicentennial was fast approaching, Ford wanted his staff to gain a deeper understanding of the American founding, explore the philosophical principles that informed it, and connect the history and philosophy of that epochal event with the policy decisions the administration faced 200 years later.
The man chosen to lead the budding White House “think tank” was Robert A. Goldwin. A University of Chicago Ph.D. and scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, Goldwin was invited into the Ford administration by Donald Rumsfeld, who initially served as the president’s chief of staff and later as his secretary of defense. Rumsfeld recognized that policy debates tended to obsess on the next election. He wanted staff to be grounded in the historical roots of the American character, idea, and experience.
Goldwin was a good choice—a well-liked and respected political theorist. Before joining the Ford administration, he had a distinguished background both in the academy and in public service that prepared him well for his role as Ford’s in-house scholar. Goldwin earned his bachelor’s degree from St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland, an institution renowned for its great books program. His classical education in the foundational texts of Western civilization instilled in Goldwin a deep appreciation for the philosophical and historical underpinnings of modern political thought.
After St. John’s, Goldwin continued his education at the University of Chicago where he completed his Ph.D. in political science. Chicago was then a leading center for the study of political theory, particularly under the influence of Leo Strauss and other eminent scholars who encouraged close reading and analysis of the major texts of classical political philosophy. Serving as Goldwin’s dissertation advisor, Strauss instilled in his student a love of the lifelong quest to link classical political theory with modern constitutional thought.
Goldwin began his academic career as a professor of political science. He taught at several prestigious institutions, including Kenyon College and the University of Chicago. His teaching focused on American political thought, the U.S. Constitution, and the broader Western political tradition. Goldwin was particularly interested in the ideas and principles of the founding fathers, and he became known for his work on the U.S. Constitution and the philosophical underpinnings of the American republic. His years of academic work helped bridge the gap between historical political theory and contemporary political challenges.
Immediately before joining the Ford administration, Goldwin was the director of research at the Center for the Study of American Government, which was affiliated with the University of Chicago. In this role, he conducted and oversaw research on American political institutions and the first principles of governance, further deepening his expertise in constitutional matters. Goldwin was also affiliated with the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), a prominent conservative think tank in Washington, D.C. At AEI, he worked on a variety of projects related to political theory and public policy, becoming an important voice in conservative intellectual circles. His involvement with AEI positioned him as a key figure in the intersection of scholarship and policy-making, which would inform his work in the Ford administration.
As the 38th president’s in-house scholar, Goldwin played a crucial role in advising President Ford and other senior officials. Goldwin’s contributions included:
1. Organizing seminars and discussions on key constitutional issues. Bringing together scholars, politicians, and policy-makers, Goldman helped the Ford team explore the philosophical underpinnings of American government. Their sessions helped inform the administration’s approach to governance, particularly in navigating the post-Watergate environment, which demanded a careful balancing of executive power and public accountability.
2. Shaping policy debates within the administration. Goldwin’s deep knowledge of American political thought allowed him to offer insights on a range of contemporary issues, from the limits of executive power to government’s role in protecting individual rights. His input was particularly valuable in the context of the Ford administration’s efforts to restore public trust in government following the turbulent last months of President Nixon’s time in office.
3. Advising the President and his staff on speeches and other communications. One of the significant challenges facing the Ford administration was the need to restore public confidence in the executive branch after the Watergate scandal. Another significant challenge was that Ford’s speechwriting team did not work well together. As Tevi Troy points out in his book, Fight House, Bob Hartmann was often competitive and disruptive, especially in his dealings with Don Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney. Goldman’s authoritative presence in the White House kept the focus where it should be: providing intellectual and moral support for Ford’s efforts to reestablish a sense of integrity and respect for the rule of law. Goldwin helped frame discussions around the importance of adhering to constitutional principles while addressing the challenges of the time, thereby ensuring that the administration’s policies were not only pragmatic but also aligned with the enduring values of the American people.
4. Planning the United States Bicentennial celebrations in 1976. Ford saw the Bicentennial as an opportunity to reacquaint Americans with their shared heritage through the lens of the American Revolution and founding. Goldwin would bring in top-flight thinkers like Daniel Boorstin and Irving Kristol to ensure the celebrations were not merely festive but also intellectually enriching, with a focus on the enduring relevance of the Founding Fathers' ideas to the American experiment.
Although Robert Goldwin’s impact on the Ford administration is often overlooked, it was significant, providing an intellectual depth and historical perspective that would inform the 38th’s policies and communications. Goldwin’s ability to connect contemporary issues with the philosophical foundations of American government helped the Ford administration navigate the increasingly cynical, fragmented political landscape of the 1970s, particularly in the aftermath of Watergate. By bringing constitutional and historical insights to the table, Goldwin played a key role in shaping the administration's approach to governance, contributing to its efforts to restore public trust and confidence in the executive branch.
Questions
Does it surprise you that Gerald Ford was the first Republican president to hire an in-house scholar to deepen understanding of the history and politics of the American founding?
Because of his work with President Ford, was Robert Goldman as much a healer as he was a scholar?
Can you think of other presidential administrations in which scholars played a critical role?
