Omar Bennett
The Reagan coalition was a political alliance that emerged during Ronald Reagan's presidential campaigns in the late 1970s and 1980s. It was a diverse group of voters that united under conservative principles to support Reagan's policies. The coalition included evangelical Christians, neoconservatives, economic conservatives, Black conservative women, and disenchanted Democrats. These groups were united by a shared desire for a conservative shift in American politics, particularly a move away from liberalism and the New Deal political order. They supported Reagan's pro-business and anti-tax policies, and his social conservatism on issues such as abortion and traditional family values. The Reagan coalition represented a broader shift towards conservatism in American politics during the 1980s, which was also marked by a strong anti-communist sentiment and a focus on national security.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Evangelical Christians | Opposition to abortion, the feminist movement, and sex education in public schools |
| Neoconservatives | Anti-communism, anti-government growth, anti-taxation |
| Economic Conservatives | Pro-business, anti-taxation, anti-government intervention in the economy |
| Black Conservative Women | Self-determination and entrepreneurship within the Black community |
| Disenchanted Democrats | --- |
| Reagan Democrats | Social conservatism, hawkish foreign policy |
| Corporate Elites | Capitalism and unfettered economic growth |
| Wealthy Americans | --- |
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What You'll Learn
Economic Conservatives
Business leaders and conservative think tanks, such as the Heritage Foundation, provided intellectual support and policy recommendations, further strengthening the coalition. Reagan's economic policies, along with his anti-communist stance and social conservatism, attracted support from groups who had not previously aligned with conservative Protestants, including middle- and working-class individuals who were disillusioned with the growth of government and rising taxes.
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Neoconservatives
The neoconservatives within the Reagan coalition were also likely to have been attracted to his social conservatism. Reagan's social policies included opposition to abortion and support for traditional family values. While neoconservatives had not previously aligned with conservative Protestants, Reagan's coalition brought these groups together under a shared commitment to conservative values and policies.
The Reagan coalition represented a broader shift towards conservatism in American politics during the 1970s and 1980s. Reagan's victory in 1980 was the result of a combination of dissatisfaction with the leadership of Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter, and the growth of the New Right. Reagan's election changed the demographic composition of the Republican Party, building a core set of beliefs that continue to be practised today, including lower taxes, less government restriction on businesses and individuals, and a strong military.
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Black Conservative Women
The Reagan coalition was a combination of voters that Ronald Reagan assembled, resulting in a major political realignment and an electoral landslide in the 1980 United States presidential election. The coalition included groups such as corporate elites and wealthy Americans, united by their commitment to capitalism, economic growth, and opposition to government interference in markets.
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Disenchanted Democrats
The Reagan coalition was a significant political alliance that supported Ronald Reagan's presidency. It was a diverse group united by a desire for a conservative shift in American politics.
One of the groups that constituted the Reagan coalition was the disenchanted Democrats. Over time, many white working-class voters and Southern Democrats began to shift their allegiance towards the Republican Party, seeking an alternative to the Democratic liberalism of the time. This shift resulted from dissatisfaction with the presidential leadership of Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford in the 1970s. Reagan's victory in 1980 was due in part to this growing discontent among Democrats.
The disenchanted Democrats within the Reagan coalition were attracted to Reagan's social conservatism on issues such as abortion and his hawkish foreign policy. They also sought tax cuts and job creation, aligning with Reagan's pro-business agenda and his commitment to reducing government intervention in the economy. Reagan's economic policies, known as “Reaganomics" or "supply-side" economics, appealed to these Democrats by addressing excessive taxation and stimulating economic growth.
The presence of disenchanted Democrats in the Reagan coalition contributed to a significant realignment in American politics, moving towards more conservative ideologies, particularly in the South and among suburban voters. This shift towards conservatism among Democrats during the 1970s and 1980s reflected a broader trend in American politics at the time.
It is worth noting that the term "Reagan Democrats" specifically refers to those who voted for Reagan in 1980 and 1984 and his vice president, George H.W. Bush, in 1988. These individuals did not continue to vote Republican in 1992 or 1996, causing the term "Reagan Democrats" to fall into disuse except as a reference to the 1980s.
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Reagan Democrats
The Reagan Democrats were members of the Democratic Party who voted for Ronald Reagan in the 1980 and 1984 presidential elections, and for his vice president, George H. W. Bush, in 1988. They were mostly white, socially conservative blue-collar workers who were attracted to Reagan's social conservatism on issues such as abortion, his hawkish foreign policy, and his stance on labour unions.
Reagan's victory in 1980 was the result of a combination of dissatisfaction with the presidential leadership of Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter in the 1970s and the growth of the New Right. Reagan himself had been a liberal Democrat, but his distaste for communism, along with the influence of his second wife, Nancy Davis, pushed him towards conservatism. Reagan's rise to the presidency was an unusual transition from pop cultural significance to political success. His career as an actor and spokesman for General Electric contributed to his popularity and public profile.
Reagan was also successful in cutting taxes, but he failed to reduce government spending. He created a new cabinet-level agency, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the number of federal employees increased during his time in office. Reagan's supporters benefited from Social Security and Medicare entitlements, which were left largely untouched, except for an increase in payroll taxes. Reagan was also less flexible when it came to deregulating industry and weakening the power of labour unions.
Overall, the Reagan Democrats played a significant role in Reagan's electoral victories and the broader shift towards conservatism in American politics during the 1980s.
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Frequently asked questions
The Reagan coalition was a political alliance that emerged during Ronald Reagan's presidential campaigns in the late 1970s and 1980s. The coalition included:
- Evangelical Christians
- Neoconservatives
- Economic conservatives
- Black conservative women
- Disenchanted Democrats
- Reagan Democrats
- Corporate elites
- Wealthy Americans
The groups were united by their desire to promote conservative values and policies, such as:
- Capitalism and unfettered economic growth
- Opposition to government interference in markets
- Anti-communism
- Strong U.S. military
- Limited government
- Individual freedom and private enterprise
- Social conservatism on issues like abortion
The Reagan coalition supported Reagan's policies on:
- Tax cuts
- Anti-tax policies
- Pro-business agenda
- Strong military
- Opposition to communism
- Social issues like abortion, the feminist movement, and traditional family values
The Reagan coalition had a significant impact on American politics, resulting in a major refocusing of the nation's social, business, and international agenda. It marked a shift towards conservatism and led to a significant realignment in American politics, particularly in the South and among suburban voters. Reagan's victory also changed the demographic composition of the Republican Party and built the core beliefs still practiced today.
