The World According to Ronald Reagan

A colorful take on the amusing map by David Horsey showing the world through the eyes of Ronald Reagan.

Originally created in 1982 by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Horsey, this is a slightly later edition of ‘The World According to Ronald Reagan’; issued around 1984 by the Information Centre of the World Peace Council. The image remains largely the same, with the notable exclusion of iconic illustrations showing Reagan and Brezhnev facing off, holstered rockets at the ready.

Global geography is skewed entirely in terms of the U.S. – Soviet conflict, with the compass rose also reflecting the contemporary us versus them attitude. ‘Our’ missiles are noted immediately adjacent to ‘their’ missiles’ and colorful commentary can be seen in the U.S.S.R. describing the inhabitants as ‘godless communists, liars and spies.’ Other nations when mentioned at all, are also depicted in a tongue-in-cheek style, highlighting dissatisfaction with foreign policy across the board.

Domestic criticism is also apparent in the representation of the United States, divided into a huge California, a state for ‘Republicans and Other Real Americans’, and the Northeast, home to Democrats and Welfare Bums. A special distinction, Ecotopia, is outlined in the Pacific Northwest and is home to ‘environmental freaks and quiche eaters.’ (Note, Horsey worked as a cartoonist for the Seattle Post Intelligencer).

A third edition was issued in 1987 and was updated to include portraits of Thatcher, Qaddafi, and Gorbachev (instead of Brezhnev).

Source: David Rumsey Map Collection;