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Contemporary Politics
During the past 30 years, Presidents from both parties have struggled to balance the ideals of the Great Society with national security concerns. Every American leader from Johnson to G.W. Bush has found it difficult to provide both “guns” and “butter.” During the 1970s high federal spending on Vietnam and the Great Society resulted in high inflation, precisely at the moment when American industrial productivity was declining. The resulting “stagflation” created a complex economic problem that proved unresponsive to most traditional methods of regulating the economy.
Richard Nixon: Domestic Policy
•Affirmative Action
•Environmental Programs
•Worker/Consumer Protections
•OSHA
•Women’s Rights (Supported ERA)
•Funding for Arts
Nixon’s Economic ProblemsStagflation: Recession + High Inflation
Causes
Declining Productivity
Increased Global Comp.
Trade Deficits
High Labor Costs
High Gov Spending
High Energy Costs
Richard Nixon: Foreign Policy
Nixon & Kissinger
Détente: “Easing of Tensions”
SALT I Treaty: Arms Limits
The Watergate Scandal•Nixon made Enemies Lists•Nixon’s Committee to Re-elect the President (CREEP) broke into the Democratic National Headquarters in the Watergate office building.•There were tape recordings of Nixon ordering break-in.
Articles of Impeachment
•Abuse of Power
•Obstruction of Justice
•Contempt of Congress
Only President to Resign Office!
Jimmy Carter: Domestic PolicyDomestic Policy
•Washington Outsider
•Unpopular due to economic problems
Jimmy Carter: Economic PolicyContinued Stagflation
Loosening credit caused inflation
Tightening credit caused recession\
High gas prices made him seek alternative fuel sources
Jimmy Carter: Foreign Policy
-Human Rights Emphasis
-Iranian Hostage Crisis
-Camp David Accords: Brokered a peace between Egypt and Israel
Reagan: Domestic Policy•Washington Outsider…
•Small Government… attacked welfare, social spending, business & environmental regulations
Reagan: Economic Policy•Supply-side Economics: tax cuts for businesses and wealthy who would put that money back into their business and expand the economy
•Increased Defense Spending
•Deregulation
-1980-1984: Recession
-1984-1987: Expansion
Ronald Reagan: Foreign Policy•Reagan Doctrine: U.S. will aid “freedom fighters” trying to overthrow communism
•“Evil Empire:” Bipolarism
•Iran-Contra Scandal
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