11.1 Rise of Conservatism and the Reagan Revolution

The rise of conservatism in the 1970s and 1980s marked a significant shift in American politics. Disillusionment with liberal policies and economic challenges fueled a desire for traditional values and free-market solutions, leading to the growth of conservative institutions and movements.

Ronald Reagan's presidency embodied this conservative resurgence, implementing supply-side economics and taking a hardline stance against the Soviet Union. His policies and charismatic leadership shaped the political landscape, leaving a lasting impact on American society and the Republican Party.

Rise of Conservatism in the 1970s & 1980s

Disillusionment with Liberal Policies

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• The perceived failures of liberal policies led to disillusionment among some Americans and a desire for a return to traditional values
  • Great Society programs (War on Poverty, Medicare, Medicaid) were seen as expensive and ineffective by conservatives
  • The counterculture movement of the 1960s (sexual revolution, anti-war protests) challenged traditional social norms and values
• Economic challenges fueled discontent with the government and a call for free-market solutions
  • High inflation eroded purchasing power and led to economic instability
  • Rising unemployment caused hardship for many Americans
  • The energy crisis of the 1970s (oil embargoes, gasoline shortages) highlighted America's dependence on foreign oil

Growth of Conservative Institutions and Movements

• The emergence of influential conservative think tanks provided intellectual support for conservative ideas and policies
  • The Heritage Foundation promoted free-market economics and limited government
  • The American Enterprise Institute advocated for conservative public policy solutions
• The growth of evangelical Christianity brought social and cultural issues to the forefront of conservative politics
  • The "Moral Majority" movement, led by figures like Jerry Falwell, mobilized religious conservatives around issues such as abortion and school prayer
  • Evangelical Christians became an important voting bloc for the Republican Party
• The increasing influence of conservative media helped to disseminate conservative ideas and rally support for conservative candidates
  • Talk radio, with hosts like Rush Limbaugh, provided a platform for conservative commentary and criticism of liberal policies
  • Publications like National Review, founded by William F. Buckley Jr., offered intellectual arguments for conservatism
• The charismatic leadership of Ronald Reagan played a significant role in the rise of conservatism
  • Reagan effectively communicated conservative principles and appealed to a broad coalition of voters
  • His optimistic vision of America and his ability to connect with average Americans helped to popularize conservative ideas

Reagan's Presidency: Impact on America

Economic Policy: "Reaganomics"

• Reagan's supply-side economic policies aimed to stimulate economic growth and reduce inflation
  • The Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 (ERTA) lowered individual income tax rates, with the top rate falling from 70% to 50%
  • The Tax Reform Act of 1986 further simplified the tax code and lowered individual tax rates, with the top rate falling to 28%
  • Deregulation efforts targeted various industries to reduce government intervention and promote free-market competition
    • The airline industry was deregulated, leading to increased competition and lower fares
    • The telecommunications industry was deregulated, paving the way for the growth of cable television and mobile phones
• Reagan's economic policies had mixed results
  • The economy experienced a recession in 1981-1982, followed by a period of sustained growth
  • Inflation and interest rates declined, but the federal budget deficit and national debt increased significantly

Foreign Policy: Confronting the Soviet Union

• Reagan's foreign policy was characterized by a hardline stance against the Soviet Union and the promotion of democracy abroad
  • The Reagan Doctrine provided support for anti-communist forces in countries like Nicaragua, Afghanistan, and Angola
  • The U.S. increased military spending and pursued an arms buildup to counter the Soviet threat
• The Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), also known as "Star Wars," aimed to develop a space-based missile defense system
  • SDI was intended to render Soviet nuclear missiles obsolete and shift the balance of power in the Cold War
  • Critics argued that the technology was unproven and the cost was prohibitive
• Reagan's foreign policy contributed to the escalation of tensions with the Soviet Union, but also played a role in the eventual collapse of the Soviet system
  • Reagan's "peace through strength" approach and his willingness to negotiate with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev helped to end the Cold War
  • The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 marked the end of the Cold War era

Social and Political Impact

• Reagan's appointment of conservative justices to the Supreme Court had a lasting impact on the judiciary
  • Sandra Day O'Connor became the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court
  • Antonin Scalia was a prominent conservative voice on the court and advocated for originalism in constitutional interpretation
• The Iran-Contra affair led to a political scandal and raised questions about the limits of executive power
  • The Reagan administration secretly sold arms to Iran, in violation of an arms embargo, and diverted the proceeds to support anti-communist rebels in Nicaragua
  • The scandal tarnished Reagan's reputation and led to investigations by Congress and a special prosecutor
• Reagan's legacy as a conservative icon endured long after his presidency
  • His influence on the Republican Party shaped the political discourse and policy priorities of subsequent administrations
  • Many Republicans continue to invoke Reagan's name and ideas as a model for conservative leadership

Principles and Policies of the Reagan Revolution

Core Principles of the 'Reagan Revolution'

• The 'Reagan Revolution' emphasized the principles of limited government, individual liberty, and free-market economics
  • Reagan argued that government was not the solution to problems, but rather the problem itself
  • He believed in reducing the size and scope of the federal government and returning power to the states and the people
  • Reagan advocated for free-market capitalism as the engine of economic growth and prosperity
• The 'Reagan Revolution' also included a renewed focus on traditional social values
  • Reagan opposed abortion and supported a constitutional amendment to overturn Roe v. Wade
  • He endorsed school prayer and criticized the Supreme Court's decisions limiting religious expression in public schools
  • Reagan's alliance with the Christian Right helped to solidify the Republican Party's commitment to socially conservative positions

Economic Policies and Their Legacy

• Reagan's tax cuts and deregulation policies aimed to stimulate economic growth and job creation
  • The Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 (ERTA) and the Tax Reform Act of 1986 lowered individual income tax rates and simplified the tax code
  • Deregulation efforts targeted various industries, such as transportation, energy, and finance, to reduce government intervention and promote free-market competition
• The Reagan administration's emphasis on reducing the size and scope of the federal government led to cuts in domestic spending
  • Spending on social programs, such as welfare and food stamps, was reduced
  • The devolution of power to state and local governments was promoted through block grants and other measures
• The legacy of Reagan's economic policies is contested
  • Supporters argue that the policies laid the foundation for the economic boom of the 1980s and 1990s and helped to create millions of new jobs
  • Critics contend that the policies led to rising income inequality, a growing national debt, and the erosion of the social safety net

Foreign Policy and the End of the Cold War

• Reagan's foreign policy focused on confronting the Soviet Union and promoting democracy abroad
  • The Reagan Doctrine provided support for anti-communist forces in countries like Nicaragua, Afghanistan, and Angola
  • Reagan pursued an arms buildup and the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) to counter the Soviet threat
• Reagan's foreign policy contributed to the end of the Cold War and the spread of democratic movements
  • His "peace through strength" approach and his willingness to negotiate with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev helped to reduce tensions and end the Cold War
  • The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 marked the triumph of democracy over communism in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union
• The legacy of Reagan's foreign policy is debated
  • Supporters credit Reagan with winning the Cold War and advancing the cause of freedom and democracy around the world
  • Critics argue that his policies led to human rights abuses, the support of authoritarian regimes, and the neglect of other global challenges, such as poverty and disease

Conservative Movement: Shaping the Political Landscape

Impact on American Politics and Public Policy

• The conservative movement has had a significant impact on the ideological balance of American politics
  • The movement has pulled the political center to the right on issues such as taxes, regulation, and the role of government
  • Conservative ideas and policies have become mainstream within the Republican Party and have influenced moderate Democrats as well
• Conservative think tanks and advocacy groups have played a key role in developing and promoting conservative policy ideas
  • The Heritage Foundation has provided research and analysis to support conservative positions on a wide range of issues
  • The Cato Institute has advocated for libertarian policies, such as free trade and limited government
  • Americans for Tax Reform, led by Grover Norquist, has pressured politicians to oppose tax increases and sign the "Taxpayer Protection Pledge"
• The success of conservative candidates at the federal, state, and local levels has led to the implementation of conservative policies
  • Tax cuts, deregulation, and welfare reform have been major priorities for conservative policymakers
  • Conservatives have also pursued policies to restrict abortion, expand gun rights, and limit the power of labor unions

Alliances and Coalitions within the Conservative Movement

• The alliance between the Republican Party and the conservative movement has had a lasting impact on the party's policy priorities and electoral strategies
  • The Christian Right, led by organizations such as the Moral Majority and the Christian Coalition, has become a powerful force within the Republican Party
  • The Tea Party movement, which emerged in 2009 in opposition to the Obama administration's policies, has pushed the Republican Party further to the right on issues such as government spending and debt
• The conservative movement has also forged alliances with other groups and interests
  • Business groups, such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers, have supported conservative economic policies
  • The National Rifle Association (NRA) has been a key ally of the conservative movement on gun rights issues
  • Conservative media outlets, such as Fox News and talk radio, have amplified conservative messages and mobilized conservative voters

Polarization and Resistance

• The conservative movement's impact on American politics has also sparked a counter-movement among liberals and progressives
  • The rise of the conservative movement has led to increased polarization and partisan gridlock in recent decades
  • Liberals and progressives have mobilized in opposition to conservative policies and have pushed for their own agenda on issues such as healthcare, education, and the environment
• The conservative movement's emphasis on originalism and strict constructionism in legal interpretation has influenced the composition of the federal judiciary
  • Conservative presidents, such as Reagan and George W. Bush, have appointed conservative judges to the Supreme Court and lower courts
  • The conservative legal movement, led by organizations such as the Federalist Society, has worked to promote conservative legal principles and challenge liberal court decisions
• The future of the conservative movement is uncertain in the face of demographic and generational changes
  • The increasing diversity of the American electorate and the growing influence of younger, more liberal voters may pose challenges for the conservative movement
  • The conservative movement may need to adapt its message and policies to appeal to a changing electorate while maintaining its core principles and values