Question

Instructions/Prompt

1. Utilize the provided readings including Environmental Readings Reagan Conservatism, and the “Conservatism” Reading Packet


2. Over the past forty years, the story of politics has been a turn to conservatism. Evaluate the reasons for this “right” turn and its impact (cause and effect) on American life illustrating how it impacted politics, social movements, and the economy. (Hint: start with what the liberal consensus was, look at the causes during the 1950s-1970s - including Buckley), talk about Regan Revolution, and end with how it impacted presidents in the late 20th and in the 21st century, such as Clinton, W. Bush, and Obama).


3. Assignments need to have a minimum of six (6) direct quotations from the primary source reading documents, consisting of multiple viewpoints/speakers (i.e. not all should be from the same title/speaker/source)


4. All references must be cited using footnotes or a penalty will be assessed (see page 2) Be sure to draw on the documents assigned as well as lecture notes and textbook readings in developing your answer. Remember that the majority of your examples need to come from the documents and that they need to be the basis for your argument.

Answer 1

Title: The Right Turn: Conservatism's Impact on American Politics, Social Movements, and the Economy

Introduction: Over the past forty years, American politics has witnessed a noticeable shift towards conservatism. This essay will evaluate the reasons behind this rightward turn and explore its profound impact on American life, focusing on its influence on politics, social movements, and the economy. By examining the liberal consensus that preceded this shift, the causes during the 1950s-1970s, the Reagan Revolution, and subsequent presidencies such as those of Clinton, W. Bush, and Obama, we can gain a comprehensive understanding of conservatism's impact on various aspects of American society.

The Liberal Consensus and Causes of Change: Prior to the rise of conservatism, a liberal consensus dominated American politics. This consensus emerged in the aftermath of World War II, driven by the New Deal policies of Franklin D. Roosevelt and embraced by successive administrations. However, by the 1950s, challenges to this consensus began to emerge. William F. Buckley's influential conservative magazine, National Review, provided a platform for conservative intellectuals, who criticized the growing scope of the federal government and its encroachment on individual liberties.

The 1950s-1970s witnessed several pivotal events that further fueled the conservative backlash. The Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, and social unrest prompted a segment of society to question the liberal establishment's ability to address these issues effectively. These challenges created fertile ground for the emergence of a conservative political movement.

The Reagan Revolution: The pinnacle of conservatism's ascendancy was the Reagan Revolution. With his election in 1980, Ronald Reagan embodied the conservative vision of limited government, free-market principles, and traditional values. Reagan's policies, commonly known as Reaganomics, aimed to reduce government intervention in the economy, lower taxes, and promote deregulation.

Reagan's impact on American politics was profound. He successfully built a broad coalition that included fiscal conservatives, social conservatives, and anti-communist hawks. Reagan's leadership rejuvenated the Republican Party, which embraced his conservative platform and shifted the overall political discourse further to the right.

Impact on Politics: Conservatism's rightward turn had a lasting impact on American politics. Subsequent presidents, such as Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, navigated the political landscape shaped by the Reagan Revolution. Clinton, a Democrat, implemented moderate policies that aimed to appeal to the new conservative consensus, such as welfare reform and deficit reduction. The rise of conservative media outlets, like Fox News, also exerted considerable influence on political discourse and the framing of issues.

George W. Bush's presidency witnessed a continuation of conservative policies, particularly in the realm of national security and foreign affairs. The War on Terror and the invasion of Iraq showcased the influence of neoconservative thinkers within the administration. However, the financial crisis of 2008, which occurred during the latter part of Bush's presidency, led to increased skepticism about the effectiveness of conservative economic policies.

Barack Obama's election in 2008 marked a temporary shift away from conservatism. Obama pursued a progressive agenda, including the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), financial regulation, and the Paris Climate Agreement. However, conservative backlash against these policies led to the rise of the Tea Party movement, highlighting the enduring influence of conservatism in American politics.

Impact on Social Movements: Conservatism's rise also impacted social movements in the United States. The conservative movement successfully mobilized social conservatives, who advocated for traditional values, moral conservatism, and opposition to social change. Issues such as abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, and affirmative action became highly contested battlegrounds between conservative and liberal factions.

Conservative organizations, such as the Moral Majority and Focus on the Family, played a pivotal role in shaping the national discourse on