It is indisputable that Ronald Reagan was responsible for an economic revolution in the USA during his tenure as President. On a cultural level, Reagan oversaw the polarisation of American society as divisions deepened, but was not personally responsible for a 'cultural revolution'. This essay will first explore Reagan's economic reformations, maintaining that he was responsible for an economic revolution. After this, the cultural changes under Reagan will be scrutinized, concluding that whilst America became increasingly divided under Reagan's presidency, he was not personally responsible for a cultural revolution. In short, this essay will assert that the extent of a 'Reagan Revolution' was purely economic.
Under Ronald Reagan's 8 years of presidency (1981-1989), American economic policy was changed drastically. Reagan's policies, coined 'Reaganomics' represented a sharp shift in American fiscal policy direction, and amounted to an economic revolution. Having previously identified as a Democrat, Reagan assumed office with the Republican Party and notably conservative beliefs. Reagan (along with British Prime Minister of the time Margaret Thatcher) is often seen as the figurehead of neoliberalism. Characterized by minimal state intervention, and a fundamental belief in trickle-down economics, Reagan steered American economic policy towards strong neoliberalism. The key feature and focus of Reagan's neoliberalism was significant tax cuts, a departure from previous administrations. This is epitomized by the Economic Recovery Tax Act, passed just six months into Reagan's premiership. The Act enforced one of the largest tax cuts in American history, with income tax being reduced for all. The country's highest tax rate was lowered from 70% to 50%. In Reagan's second term (1985-1989), the act was backed up by the 1986 Tax Reform Act. Once again, tax rates were cut, with the number of tax brackets reduced substantially. The top rate of tax was now just 28%. Unsurprisingly, the tax cuts disproportionately benefitted the rich, whilst the poorest groups in society saw no advantages. Poverty and inequality rose drastically under Reagan, as wealth became increasingly concentrated at the top of society. Marginalized groups were especially affected, and any benefits of Reagan's economic changes failed to 'trickle down' to them. With less money coming from taxes, public services such as healthcare and education often suffered. The effects of this were predictably felt by vulnerable societal groups. These drastic reforms can only be described as an economic revolution. The revolution's focus was not widespread prosperity, but benefits for corporations and those at the top of American society.
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Reaganomics also placed significant emphasis on deregulation. This allowed corporations to cut costs by removing various environmental and safety regulations. Again, this was to the advantage of the corporations, and the working classes of America suffered resultantly. Reagan's administration limited the role of the government, stripping apart the liberal policies enacted under previous Presidents - such as various New Deal policies from Franklin Roosevelt's presidency. This occurred, whilst large corporations and wealthy business owners thrived, at the expense of working America. Whilst the benefits of Reagan's economic changes are hard to see, there is no doubt that it constituted an economic revolution.
For Reagan to be responsible for a complete domestic policy 'revolution', there must have been significant cultural changes manufactured by the President. America under Reagan became more and more divided, with divisions between America's left and right intensifying. The shifts in perspectives might amount to a revolution itself, but this was not orchestrated by President Reagan. During the President's tenure, the Christian Right, with strongly conservative social beliefs, grew in prominence and influence 'headed by figures such as Jerry Falwell. The power that these groups and figures had was proved strikingly by President Reagan's handling of the AIDS crisis. The AIDS epidemic disproportionately impacted gay bisexual men, as well as ethnic minority groups within the country. The Christian Right's staunch stance against homosexuality dictated its response to the crisis, with most conservatives treating the crisis with disdain. Jerry Falwell declared AIDS to be a punishment from God for homosexuals to the nation, spreading and strengthening homophobic sentiment throughout America. It took Reagan until 1985 to publicly mention the epidemic that was spreading throughout America. There is no doubt that the Christian Right's power, along with Reagan's attempted commitment to conservative views, influenced his treatment of the crisis. This occurred despite Reagan's close friend Rock Hudson suffering, and later dying, from AIDS. Reagan's failure to acknowledge the crisis stands as a testament to the polarisation of American culture. It also shows that whilst a cultural revolution may have been occurring within Reagan's America, he cannot be held responsible for arranging it.
Another exemplification of the growing divides in the United States under Ronald Reagan is the failed passing of the Equal Rights Amendment. Designed to provide all American citizens with equal rights, in spite of sex, the amendment failed to receive the required number of state ratifications. Once more, the growing power of the conservative wing in America was crucial in this. Conservative campaigners, including Phyllis Schlafly, led the movement against the amendment, arguing it would be damaging for women. Despite the amendment previously seeming certain to be passed, the work of the conservative movement prevented this. This again shows that whilst American culture was changing significantly, Reagan was not directly responsible for a cultural revolution. This is further evidenced by Reagan's stance on abortion. Despite publicly declaring anti-abortion beliefs, Reagan did not address the issue at all during his presidency, proving any cultural revolution was not mobilized by Reagan.
In conclusion, Reagan's so-called 'revolution' was a solely economic one, with neoliberal policies shifting American policy drastically. His 'revolution' came largely at the expense of vulnerable working Americans, whilst he allowed corporations and the rich to prosper. Culturally, whilst his brand of conservatism allowed a cultural revolution to occur, Reagan did not categorically produce it. Thus, the extent to which Reagan was responsible for a revolution in US domestic politics was purely economic.
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