Reaganism (/ˈreɪɡənɪzəm/) is a political ideology named after former U.S President Ronald Reagan. The spelling of the word can be broken down into four syllables, "Rea-gan-ism." The first syllable is pronounced with the long "a" sound, followed by the second syllable with a hard "g." The third syllable is pronounced with a short "i" sound, and the final syllable ends with "-ism," which is pronounced with a long "i" sound. Reaganism emphasizes conservative policies such as limited government, deregulation, and free-market economics.
Reaganism refers to the political and economic ideologies, policies, and principles associated with the presidency of Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States (1981-1989). Reaganism is characterized by a set of conservative policies that emphasized limited government intervention, free-market capitalism, supply-side economics, and a strong national defense.
In Reaganism, advocates argue that reducing government regulations and taxes fosters economic growth and incentivizes entrepreneurship and innovation, leading to increased individual prosperity and national wealth. Reagan's belief in "trickle-down economics" played a central role in his economic policy approach, suggesting that by incentivizing the upper class with tax breaks, the benefits would eventually trickle down to the rest of society.
Reaganism also focused on promoting a strong military and national defense, advocating for peace through strength. During Reagan's presidency, defense spending and military modernization initiatives significantly increased, with the aim of projecting American power and deterring potential adversaries.
In terms of foreign policy, Reaganism is often associated with an assertive anti-communism stance, symbolized by his famous challenge to Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev to "tear down this wall" referring to the Berlin Wall, which eventually fell in 1989.
Reaganism had a profound impact on American politics and policy-making, reshaping the Republican Party and influencing subsequent conservative leaders. It continues to be relevant in ongoing political debates and discussions about the appropriate role and size of government, economic policies, and national security.
The term "Reaganism" is derived from the name of Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States, who served from 1981 to 1989. Reaganism refers to the political ideology, policies, and principles associated with Reagan, his administration, and the broader conservative movement in the United States during that time. The term emerged during and after Reagan's presidency as a way to describe his specific brand of conservatism, characterized by a commitment to free-market capitalism, limited government intervention in the economy, tax cuts, deregulation, and a strong national defense.