What does the Reagan Revolution mean?

198 1 year 65438+1October 20th, Washington, DC, Reagan was elected president of the United States, which laid the foundation for the change of the world pattern.

Public opinion generally believes that it was the Reagan administration's tough policy that brought pressure on the Soviet Union's military expenditure, which eventually crushed the Soviet economy, realized the disintegration of the Soviet Union and the disintegration of the producer camp that the United States expected, and made the United States the only superpower in the world.

Text/qi zhou

Former US President ronald wilson reagan died at his home in California on June 5th at the age of 93 after suffering from Alzheimer's disease 10.

On his death, President Bush, who was attending the 60th anniversary of the Normandy landing in France, said: "He left us a country he recovered and a world he helped save. During Reagan's presidency, the United States got rid of an era of division and self-doubt. Thanks to his leadership, the world has got rid of an era of fear and tyranny. "

The Reagan Revolution brought the longest-lasting prosperity to the United States.

Reagan was a political representative of conservatism. His election depends on the power of American conservative "silent majority". During his leadership of the United States, the conservative trend of thought jumped to the mainstream of American politics after being on the edge of American politics for a long time since Roosevelt's "New Deal".

Conservatives emphasize order, public opinion, morality and religion in society, and advocate individual freedom, enterprise freedom, trade freedom and private ownership in economy. They advocate that the government should reduce its intervention in economic and social life, reduce public and welfare expenditures, and give enterprises and individuals greater economic freedom.

The supply-side economic policy implemented during the Reagan administration ran counter to Keynesianism, which had occupied the mainstream position in western countries' economic policies before that, and echoed the monetary economic policy adopted by British Prime Minister Thatcher.

As an actor, Reagan's acting is only second-rate and third-rate. As a politician, even the leaders of allies think that his IQ is not high and his knowledge is limited. 1986 After seeing him in England, Mrs. Thatcher commented that "there is nothing between his ears" (meaning that he has no brains).

But Reagan's political skills were first-rate. He is one of the few presidents in the postwar history of the United States who can maintain good relations with the media and the US Congress at the same time. This has created favorable conditions for his popularity among the people.

Being able to deal with Congress easily, Reagan was able to pass a series of legislation in Congress to stimulate economic development, curb inflation and strengthen national defense. Under the guidance of conservative economic policies, the Reagan administration began to cut taxes and government spending, and greatly increased defense spending. The implementation of these policies is regarded as a "Reagan revolution" in economic policy. From 65438 to 0986, Reagan completely revised the income tax law, canceled some taxes and exempted many low-income people from taxes. At the end of his administration, the United States enjoyed the longest prosperity in peacetime.

"Reaganism" promoted the end of the Cold War.

In terms of diplomacy, until the Reagan administration, the United States still did not get rid of the shadow of the Vietnam War.

The "American myth" was shattered, and the optimistic view of American democracy was questioned. Especially compared with the Soviet Union, the United States has no advantage in strategic weapons.

In the eyes of Americans, the producer groups headed by the Soviet Union are expanding all over the world, especially in the third world. After Vietnam invaded Cambodia, the Soviet Union occupied Afghanistan at 1979 and 12. 1979 As a result of the Iranian revolution led by Khomeini, the United States lost its most loyal ally in the Middle East, which has huge strategic interests in oil. At the same time, its backyard, Central America, is also threatened by the armed struggle of Nicaragua's left-wing regime supported by the Soviet Union and Cuba and other countries against the right-wing government.

In order to restore America's military strength and rebuild America's public confidence, "Reagan doctrine" replaced the containment policy and was used to deal with Brezhnevism and guard against the Soviet Union in the third world.

198 1 year, Alexander Haig, Reagan's first secretary of state, declared that the Soviet Union must understand that its irresistible adventure era in the third world countries was over.

1982 In his speech to the British Parliament, Reagan advocated "consolidating the foundation of democracy" and called for launching a "jihad for freedom" against Soviet totalitarianism. Reagan's speech was praised by British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher as part of the ideological struggle against imperialism.

In February 1985, Reagan made a clear statement about "Reaganism": "We must never weaken the confidence of those who risk their lives ... resist the Soviet aggression and ensure our birthright. Supporting a freedom fighter is self-defense. " The essence of this policy is that the United States should provide economic and military assistance and political support for anti-capitalist uprisings in Central America, Asia and Africa.

Thus, during the first Reagan administration, American support for racist regimes in South Korea, the Philippines, South Africa and right-wing military dictatorships in Central America reached its peak. It also provided financial and logistical assistance through the Central Intelligence Agency and trained right-wing anti-government organizations in Nicaragua. However, the Reagan administration's support did not prevent these countries from finally moving towards democratization, nor did it overthrow the Sandinista National Front regime in Nicaragua by military subversion.

Reagan pursued the policy of "seeking peace through strength" towards the Soviet Union. From the beginning, the Reagan administration was committed to rebuilding the military power of the United States. During Reagan's two terms, he increased defense spending by 35%. During its first term 198 1 ~ 1985, the total military expenditure of the United States reached150 billion US dollars, equivalent to 8% of the GNP of the United States, creating the largest military expenditure of the United States in peacetime. In addition, more and more military expenditures are used to develop new weapon systems.

Reagan adopted a tougher policy towards the Soviet Union. He didn't believe in containment policy and didn't want to negotiate treaties with Soviet leaders on the basis of mutual distrust, which led Reagan to put forward the famous "space defense plan" in 1983. Due to the huge military expenditure, the financial deficit of the United States is getting bigger and bigger. However, since the 1985 Geneva meeting between the United States and the Soviet Union, a new process of detente has begun between the United States and the Soviet Union. From 65438 to 0986, the United States and the Soviet Union reached a series of agreements, including the treaty on the elimination of medium-range and short-range missiles.

1989 when Reagan left the white house, the world was close to the end of the cold war. No matter what the facts are, American public opinion generally believes that the Reagan administration's tough policy brought pressure on the Soviet Union's military expenditure, which eventually crushed the Soviet economy and achieved the disintegration of the Soviet Union and the * * * producer camp expected by the United States. As a result, the United States became the only superpower in the world, and the danger of nuclear war was greatly reduced. In addition, under the leadership of Reagan, Americans regained their national self-confidence. According to American comments, diplomatically speaking, Reagan may have changed the balance of power in the world more than any other president in American history, because he promoted the end of the Cold War. Because of Reagan's political legacy, even his domestic political opponents will respect him.