Final answer:
The common historical view is that the New Deal expanded U.S. government's role in the economy and society, attracting mixed assessments on its legacy and ongoing influence, and prompting debates on government intervention in the economy.
Step-by-step explanation:
A common historical view of the New Deal is that it marked a significant expansion in the role of the United States government in both the economy and society. The New Deal led to an increase in government spending to finance relief, recovery, and reform programs, which was supported by economic theories such as those proposed by John Maynard Keynes who argued for increased government spending during economic downturns.
Despite the expansion of federal power and executive influence, the New Deal was met with controversy, facing critiques from conservatives for too much government interference and from liberals for not going far enough to aid the poor. Furthermore, the legacy of the New Deal programs is mixed, with numerous programs still impacting the nation today and discussions about the role of government in the economy continuing to be a topic of political debate.