The American Yawp Chapter 29: The Triumph of the Right

The Age of Limits and Conservative Resurgence

• Context of the 1970s: Americans felt they had entered an age where expectations needed to be managed due to limited economic growth and challenges such as crises and inflation.

• Shift to Conservative Ideology: A response emerged that combined conservative skepticism of liberalism from the 1960s with a focus on economic growth and a strong sense of American virtue.

Rise of the New Right

• Background of New Right: Post-1964 election, the conservative movement faced a setback with Barry Goldwater's defeat. However, conservatives rebuilt their organization through the 1970s.

• Emerging Support Structures:

  • Right-wing think tanks and lobbyists were established.

  • Support from evangelical television audiences and conservative radio listeners grew.

• Role of Ronald Reagan:

  • Reagan, initially a Hollywood actor, became a prominent conservative figure, especially following his 1964 campaign speech for Goldwater.

  • He nearly secured the Republican nomination in 1976, further establishing his role in the party.

The 1980 Presidential Election

• Carter vs. Reagan: By 1980, Reagan was seen as a strong critic of the federal government's excesses. His campaign emphasized restoring American strength.

• Resounding Victory: Reagan won decisively against President Carter, marking a notable shift in political power with Republicans gaining the Senate.

Reagan's Leadership and Policies

• Key Events Surrounding Reagan's Presidency:

  • American hostages in Tehran were released on his inauguration day.

• Coalition of Support:

  • Included wealthy capitalists favoring capitalism and neoconservatives pushing for a tougher Cold War stance.

  • Successfully managed a coalition of diverse conservative factions (anti-government conservatives, Christian evangelicals, etc.).

• Public Image and Scandals:

  • Known as the “Teflon president” for his ability to evade blame despite controversies such as the Iran-Contra affair and the savings and loan crisis.

Economic Policies

• Supply-Side Economics:

  • Advocated the idea that economic issues stemmed from high taxation on the wealthy, hindering private investment.

  • Enacted significant income tax cuts and deregulation, reversing decades of Keynesian style governance.

• Outcomes:

  • The economy experienced a recovery; however, federal budgets reflected an increase in deficits due to increased military spending and entitlement program costs.

Significant Legislative and Judicial Actions

• Immigration Reform and Control Act (1986):

  • Allowed nearly three million undocumented workers to gain legal status, emphasizing America's immigrant promise.

• Supreme Court Nominations:

  • Nominated Robert Bork who was a controversial figure due to his views on civil rights.

  • Bork was ultimately rejected, raising the stakes for future confirmations.

Global Influence

• Foreign Policy Stance:

  • Regarded the Soviet Union as the “evil empire” and initiated the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) to protect from nuclear threats.

  • Implemented the Reagan Doctrine to foster anti-communist movements globally.

• Military Involvement:

  • Sent financial and military aid to opposition groups in various countries, though avoiding full-scale military conflicts.

1984 Presidential Campaign

• Morning in America: The theme of Reagan's re-election campaign showcased a perceived revival in American morale and economic prosperity.

• Election Results: Won by a significant margin against Walter Mondale with nearly 60% of the popular vote.

Decline of Communism

• Gorbachev's Reforms:

  • Under Mikhail Gorbachev, the Soviet Union began to embrace reforms that led to economic shifts away from communism.

  • His policies of 'glasnost' (openness) and 'perestroika' (restructuring) were pivotal.

• End of the Cold War: The late years of Reagan's presidency coincided with the Soviet Union’s fragmentation, leading to the collapse of communism by 1991, showcasing the endurance of capitalism and American values over communism.