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Reagan Revolution

Definition

The Reagan Revolution refers to the conservative shift in American politics during Ronald Reagan’s presidency (1981-1989). His administration emphasized lower taxes, decreased government regulation, increased military spending, and free-market capitalism.

Analogy

Imagine if your school suddenly got a new principal who changed all the rules—less homework (like lower taxes), fewer dress code restrictions (decreased regulation), more money spent on sports equipment (increased military spending), and letting students sell snacks at lunchtime without interference (free-market capitalism).

Related terms

Supply-side economics ("Reaganomics"): An economic theory suggesting that reducing tax rates stimulates economic growth by encouraging individuals to produce more goods/services.

Cold War: A period of geopolitical tension between Soviet Union-led Eastern Bloc and United States-led Western Bloc after World War II. Reagan's increased military spending was a part of this larger conflict.

Deregulation: The process of removing or reducing state regulations, typically in the economic sphere. It is an opposition to regulated capitalism.