The presidency of Ronald Reagan transformed the way the United States engaged in foreign policy and how things should be run domestically. Certainly, it was a radical transformation in comparison to the policies of its two predecessors. Ronald Reagan and his close supporters were convinced that freedom and liberty were basic principles embedded in every human being. Every individual tries to achieve them but it is external factors that become barriers or help. Thus, the government must encourage every human being to pursue these fundamental objectives (Hook & Spanier, 2003). From this belief were developed some radical policies which were implemented during the 1980s.
The first policies to be developed were related to foreign policy and the role that the United States should have in promoting democracy and freedom around the globe. The Vietnam War and the activism of the 1960s had radically changed the way American foreign policy was formed and implemented. Until that moment, the United States had not directly supported or interfered in issues internal to other countries.
It was Ronald Reagan who openly made its foreign policy of the United States to engage the Soviet Union in every corner of the globe. For the Reagan doctrine, communism was one of the major obstacles to individual freedom and liberty. Thus, challenging and defying it was the primary duty of every liberal government. In his 1985 State of the Union address, the President proclaimed openly to the world that the United States will support any anti-communist revolution in any country around the globe.
“We must not break faith with those who are risking their lives on every continent from Afghanistan to Nicaragua to defy Soviet-supported aggression and secure rights which have been ours from birth.” (Hook & Spanier, 2003)
Regarding domestic issues, the Reagan doctrine promoted small government and the deregulation of markets. For the Reagan doctrine, the free enterprise and free-market system will enhance individual freedoms and liberty. The role of government is not to interfere in the lives of the individuals but to guarantee them the necessary means by which to develop their liberties. Thus, the Reagan doctrine presided over the dismantling of any form of government welfare programs. It also began the process of dismantling all of the financial and economic regulations that were previously put in place since the time of the Great Depression.
The government did not take any responsibility in providing the individual with what he/she needed. Now, government concerns itself with the formation of the correct conditions that consumers and businesses can interact freely in the market.
It also saw the role of the government as a guarantor in providing all the necessary conditions for this market interaction. As a result, many functions and roles that the United States administration performed before were not needed anymore. This meant that government should reduce their bureaucracies to the minimum possible. They should cut their spending also to the minimum possible. Another important aspect of this doctrine is the cutting of taxes for individuals and businesses. Taxes were seen as a barrier to the promotion of freedom (Nuechterlein, 2000).
Since the government had to rely on small bureaucracies and its functions and expenditure were restricted, then it did not need to collect high taxes. The most of its functions were to be fulfilled by the free interaction of consumers and businesses in the market.
Reference List
Hook, S., & Spanier, J. (2003). American foreign policy Since World War II. Washington DC: CQ Press.
Nuechterlein, D. (2000). America Recommitted: A Superpower Assesses Its Role in a Turbulent World. Kentucky: The University of Kentucky Press.