Social, Economic, and Foreign Policy During the Reagan Administration
The New Right can be considered as one of the most redefined forms of conservative political activity. Their growth was significantly seen during the 196s and 1970s. That was due to the Young American for Freedom and College Republicans. The group was bothered with the rampant use of drugs, open and public displays of homosexuality, rising rates of crime, race riots, civil rights unrest, and protest movement because of the Vietnam War (Carter). They believed that all the issue that was rising in the country was due to Liberalism. It was a contributing factor to the mismanagement and corruption of the federal government. Goldwater’s 1964 presidential campaign is always seen as the cause of the rise of the New Right; hence the iconic hero is always considered as President Ronald Reagan. Ronald Reagan won the presidential elections in 1980, defeating liberalists (Carter). Modern American Conservatism brought on board some of the significant events, developments, and occurrences that had a direct impact on United States Conservatism. This paper will majorly focus on the social, economic, and foreign policy goals of New Right conservatives from 1960 to 1980s and assess the degree to which the administration of Reagan succeeded in the implementation of these goals in the 1980s.
The conservatism movement rise led to it developing structures that were essential for them supporting Goldwater and Ronald Reagan. The joining of the evangelical churches in the late 1970s gave the group an uplift. In the 1960s, the conservatives were majorly focused on the call for a more limited federal presence and discounting the possibility of more significant support from the blacks. However, Liberalism had dominated the politics of America for many years, hence leading to them shaping its institutions and assumptions. In doing so, they created a notion that no politician would win advocating for reducing the size and roles of the federal government. Therefore, they used this argument in making sure they continue being the ruling party in the united states. However, In the 1980s, the Republican victory in the presidential election marked the era of the republicans dominating Washington (Paker & Robert). That was after Reagan won the presidential election even after a few people believed that he could rule the country.
Reagan being a conservatism him winning the presidential seat, was built under the characteristics of conservatism in the united states. The conservatism was characterized by American traditions, supporting the Christian values, moral universalism, republicanism, and defending the western culture that was facing a threat from socialism, communism, and moral changes.
The Reagan administration was maintaining peace in the world through the implementation of foreign policy. That was the foreign policy of the United States from 1981 and 1989. The main aim of the implementation of this policy was to help in ending and winning the cold world war. Moreover, containing the rollback of communism, that was achieved in 1989 in Eastern Europe. Also, making sure that the Soviet Union came to an end in 1991. The United States managing to end the cold world war helped it in creating good relationships with the former communist regime in Russia and Eastern Europe. In doing so, the united states were able to strengthen their foreign policy which was essential in the growth of the country in terms of foreign relations.
Reagan was a more significant supporter of “supply-side economics,” supply-side economics theory argues that the most effective way of having economic growth is through the lowering of taxes and decreasing regulations. Therefore, creating an environment that the consumers benefit more from the more significant goods and service supply at a meager price. Moreover, there will be an increase in the rate of employment. The supporters of President Reagan referred to the supply-side economics as Reaganomics. That led to Reagan forming coalitions in congress with the conservative Democrats. That was essential in the passing of significant tax cuts, which led to the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 (Carter). It was considered a significant cut to encourage economic growth. The other principal Reagan tax act that was key in propelling the economic growth of the country was the Tax Reform Act of 1986. The passing of the act simplified the tax code, therefore reducing the marginal income tax rate on the wealthiest Americans from 50% to 28%. Thus, leading to an increasing rate in the Marginal tax on the taxpayers. In doing so, it was essential to uplift the social life of poor people in society. The passing of the act was also essential in helping the country to have a significant growth in its economy.
When Reagan took the presidential office in the 1980s, he was so determined to change the social life of the Americans. Therefore, he gave a promise on fundamental change about the domestic social policy (Paker & Robert). As a president, he was able to achieve most of his promises about changing the social policy. The administration of Reagan was keen on making sure that benefits are directed to the citizens who were genuinely in need. Hence, according to President Reagan, reviving the concept of the deserving poor was vital. Therefore, his administration focused on people who cannot work due to old age, illness, or disability (Paker & Robert). However, in his social policy, he was against supporting people who can work. Reagan administration also was stringent in supporting social programs. Hence, he did not change the basic structure of the main federal-state welfare program and aid to families with dependent children. During the administration of Reagan, he supported people who were challenging a long series of federal court decisions on civil rights, abortion, and school prayer.
In conclusion, the Reagan administration was very supportive in making sure that the social life of the people is protected. Hence, he was vital in supporting people who were unable to work. His administration was also essential in promoting foreign policy, which led to the end of the cold world war, which was affecting the country’s foreign policies with the Soviet Union. The end of the cold war through his foreign policy was vital in promoting the county’s relations with a country like Russia. The administration of Reagan was very central in promoting the economic growth of the country lead to the passing of two economic acts that were key in promoting the livelihood of the poor Americans and the economic growth of the country.
Work Cited
Carter, Dan T. From George Wallace to Newt Gingrich: Race in the Conservative Counterrevolution, 1963-1994. LSU Press, 1996.
Paker, Paula C., and Robert Griffith, eds. Major problems in American history since 1945: documents and essays. Houghton Mifflin, 2007.