The Conservative Movement & the Presidency of Ronald Reagan
Beginning in the 1960's, America experienced a great resurgence of conservatism in the form of a social and political movement which was a reaction to the pro-government public philosophies of liberalism which had been the major force in America since Franklin Roosevelt's "New Deal" in the early 1930's. However, in the late 1960's, this conservative movement began to be supported by many southern Democrats and especially by the advocates and supporters of Barry Goldwater within the Republican Party who later endorsed Ronald Reagan in the 1970's and early 1980's. Generally, the conservative movement was closely linked to what some saw as the basic causes of economic and social distress in America, namely, the policies and ideals of the liberals in Washington, DC. Economically, the conservatives believed that the problem associated with a stagnant economy was due to inflation coupled with "big government" and the Democrats with their "tax and spend" attitude, mainly related to spending federal dollars on various social welfare programs for those Americans trapped in poverty. Out of this movement arose two specific traditions-neo-conservatism and the "New Right." With the first tradition, the main theme, often supported and defe
Another problem which Reagan faced as President was the energy crisis, symbolized by rising gasoline prices and fuel shortages. But due to his conservative policies related to inflation, interests rates and "Big Government," by the time he left office, inflation was generally under control, for it had plummeted during his first term and remained low well after his departure. Interest rates fell to single digits; fuel prices dropped dramatically and the oil crisis which had begun during the Carter Administration came to an end. Also as a result of Reagan's policies, the stock market doubled in value and poverty and unemployment declined. Thus, Reagan's numerous critics pointed out that his conservative policies would only increase inflation, unemployment and the federal deficit which brought about the terms "Reaganomics" and the "Trickle-Down Theory." In conclusion, the policies of Ronald Reagan, linked to the domestic economy and social systems, faired quite well, considering that the Democrats were still in power in Congress during both of his administrations between 1980 and 1988. Overall, his policies affected the country in various ways, some positive and some negative. Yet through it all, "Reaganomics" spurred renewed economic growth and development and made it possible for future administrations to increase the gains made by Ronald Reagan's policies, gains that can still be felt even today almost twenty years after his departure from the White House. In 1981, the Reagan Administration, due to the President's domestic policies on the economy, was able to get $35 billion in domestic spending reductions through a package
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Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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