Political and Foreign Policy Adjustments in a Globalized World (1980-Present) Flashcards
(185 cards)
Three Tendencies of the Conservative Movement
Cold War, Pro-business, and religious/cultural wing
Cold War Conservatives
Focused on containing/rolling back Communist regimes abroad.
Pro-business Economic Conservatives
Argued for lower corporate taxes, deregulation, and an atmosphere friendly to business.
Religious and Cultural Conservatives
Identify:
- Origin
Greatest grassroots support and helped fuel victories for Reagan, HW Bush, W Bush, and Trump. It stemmed out of the counterculture of the 1960’s.
Reagan’s Political Views Before Presidency
Originally started as a New Deal Democrat. In the 1950’s, he became anti-Communist and became the face of the New right movement after his election.
Reasons for Ronald Reagan’s Electoral Victory
People were disappointed at the seemingly ineffective release of the Tehran hostages by Jimmy Carter. Reagan projected a sense of hope and optimism.
Reaganomics
Favored big business. He believed in supply side economics, which drove his economic policy. He cut taxes and reduced regulations on industry.
Historical Policy Similar to Reaganomics
Herbert Hoover’s approach to the Great Depression.
Supply-side Economics
Helping manufacturers, banks, insurance corporations (supply) would stimulate general economic growth, and the benefits of the growth would reach everyone.
Demand-side Economics
Focuses on workers’ wages and expands social programs such as welfare and unemployment benefits.
James Watt
Identify:
- Criticisms
Secretary of Interior under Reagan, criticized for dismantling or weaking environmental legislation established in the 70’s.
Republicans during Presidency of Bill Clinton
Gained control over the House and Senate in 1994 midterms. The Republicans had not controlled the House since 1954.
Newt Gingrich
Minority leader of the House Republicans in 1994. He signed the “Contract with America”.
Contract with America
Call to arms for Republicans and a specific blueprint for legislative action.
Impeachment Proceedings against Bill Clinton
Demonstrated the growing strength of more conservative elements within the Republicans, and was important in the deterioration of relations between the two parties. Starr was not able to tie Clinton to the Whitewater case, but Clinton did deny the Lewinsky affair to a federal grand jury. In the end, he was found not guilty by the Senate.
Clinton emerged largely unscathed. While many Americans disapproved of his personal misconduct, they resented the attempt by Republicans to remove him from office.
Kenneth Starr
Independent council to investigate the Clinton’s participation in the Whitewater case.
Whitewater Case
A failed and fraudulent real estates project in Arkansas that happened in 1978, when Clinton was governor.
Election of 2000
R: George W. Bush
D: Al Gore
Electoral vote split almost completely evenly, and neither side had 270. It went down to Florida, where votes were almost split completely evenly. The US Supreme Court ultimately reversed an order by the Florida Supreme Court to do a hand recount of certain counties, resulting in Bush’s victory
Bush v. Gore
2000 decision that stopped the recount in Florida, marking a break by conservative members of the Court of their previous tendency to assert the power of states within the federal system.
No Child Left Behind Act
- One of W. Bush’s major accomplishments, and extended the reach of the federal government into education, which was traditionally a state responsibility. It set learning standards, but was criticized for not providing funds to meet these goals.
Every Child Succeeds Act
- Replaced the No Child Left Behind Act. It gave more flexibility to developing systems of standards and accountability
Reasons for Obama’s Victory
Held off Hillary Clinton’s bid for the nomination. He harnessed the power of the internet and his own charisma to build a large base.
Tea Party Movement
Identify:
- Major player
Opposed Obama’s presidency. To some extent the movement was a creation of the media, and used hyperbolic language. It was promoted heavily by Fox News.
Election of Donald Trump
Identify:
- Factors Contributing to Victory
Demonstrated the continued strength of the Conservative movement. However, it split the Republican Party, as mainstream Republicans felt uncomfortable with the anti-establishment populist wing of the party.
He was seen to speak his mind rather than following “political correctness”, and many voters were stunned by his comments and actions. For example, he questioned the status of McCain as a war Hero.