HW4.6

Question-

1.What was Reagan's 'brand' of Conservatism in the US, 1980s?
2.Did Reagan's Policies fit that 'brand'?



REAGAN'S POLICIES DIDN'T FIT THE 'BRAND'

According to Schweikart, Reagan ran on three simple promises: he would revive the economy through tax cuts and deregulation, cutting the size of government; he would wage the cold war with renewed vigor; and he would address the nation's energy problems by seeking market solutions.
The result of Reagan’s budget cuts were that 350,000 people lost Social Security disability benefits. (Zinn) Also, unemployment increased which caused over 16 million Americans to lose their medical insurance. (Zinn)
Reagan spent trillions of dollars to build up its military by arguing that the Soviet Union was also building up its military forces to invade the West. However, George Kennan, the former ambassador to the Soviet Union said this fear had no basis in reality. (Zinn)
Although renewable energy sources (water, wind, sunlight) could produce more usable energy than nuclear plants, the Reagan administration made a 90 percent cut in research into renewable energy possibilities. (Zinn)