> [!infobox] <s class="aside-in"><em>mentioned in 1 topic, 10 evergreens</em></s> #### [[Ronald Reagan invented modern conservatism]] [[Reagan]] set the standard for [[Conservatism]] that stands to this day. His three major beliefs were [[religious conservatism]] ([[Moral majority]]), [[anti-liberalism]], and [[financial conservatism]] ([[supply-side economics]]). The most impactful of these beliefs is financial [[Conservatism]], which has also been called Reaganomics and [[supply-side economics]]. Much of this [[policy]] is based on the incorrect assumption that [[Reagan]] said so plainly in his 1964 speech, "But the truth is that outside of its legitimate function, [[government]] does nothing as well or as economically as the private sector." [^1] These kinds of beliefs push the idea that the only good [[government]] is a small [[government]], which [[Reagan]] espoused in his 1981 inaugural address, "In this present crisis, [[government]] is not the solution to our problem; [[government]] is the problem." [^2] In opposition to these small-[[government]] beliefs, [[Reagan]] pushed for large [[government]] in many other ways. [[Reagan]] aligned the American [[government]] with religious and moral superiority and his enemy (the [[USSR]]) with secularism and moral inferiority. He used this logic to justify his opposition of the nuclear freeze which aimed to help end [[the Cold War]]. [^3] Some historians point to this and his increase in military spending as reasons for the [[USSR]]'s collapse, while others cite Eastern European nations and internal issues as factors. [^4] [[Reagan]] then went back on his word and increased [[government]] spending that helped to bring the [[economy]] back from the 1982 crash. He also used this moral superiority to justify [[government]] interference in woman's right to choose. ^[[[speechRonald Reagan Evil Empire Speech]]] - displayed in:: [[Anti-government stances lead to economic crashes]] - result of:: [[Republican voters do not hold their leaders accountable]] - part of:: [[Rise of Modern Conservatism]] Modern republicans have followed this to a tee, but one way they have superseded him is that [[Republicans have become a true opposition party]]. ### <hr class="footnote"/> **Status**:: #EVER/GREEN *edited 7:35 AM - July 08, 2022* **Topics**:: [[Politics]], [[Reagan]], [[Conservatism]] [^1]: [[speechRonald Reagans Inaugural Address 1981]], para 9 [^2]: Ronald [[Reagan]]'s 'A Time to Choose' speech , para 6 [^3]: [[speechRonald Reagan Evil Empire Speech]] [^4]: [[articleReagans Impact and Legacy]]