Introduction
In the late 1970s, Americans faced a time that was troubling in terms of rising inflation and weakened economy. Before 1980s, the previous two decades saw America facing the countercultural and radical movements, the Vietnam War, the Watergate scandal, economic crisis and growing tension in the Middle- East. These events decreased the confidence and trust of the American public in their government and their governance. The American idealism was shattered by the rising crime, foreign policy turmoil and inflation. As a response, Americans started embracing conservatism in political, social, and economic life that was best characterized by President Ronald Reagan’s policies (A&E Television Networks). This paper will discuss the ideals of American conservatism and the leaders and events that exemplified and made conservatism part and parcel of American life.
Ideals of Conservatism
The pillars of conservatism are freedom, order and tradition, the rule of law and belief in god. A conservative believes that individuals should have the right to life, property, and liberty, and the freedom from being restricted by arbitrary force. Conservatism also supports conserving values, which have been formed over centuries and have led to the creation of an orderly society. Conservatism also considers that it is important to have a predictable legal system, which allows everyone to know the same rules that same for everyone. Finally, conservatism also makes it important that having belief in God helps in adhering to the comprehensive concepts of religion such as virtue, justice, charity, fairness, community, and duty (Regnery).
Leaders and Events
The 1964 American presidential election between Lyndon Johnson and Barry Goldwater brought forward a conservative philosophy. Through Republican Barry Goldwater’s campaign, American experienced conservative values for after long term of idealism in politics. In 1964, many saw Goldwater’s views as harsh and rather extreme and he lost the Presidential election by a large margin. However, Goldwater’s campaign pioneered the conservative thought that created a shift towards new conservative values among the American populace that reached its zenith during Ronald Reagan’s Presidential race in 1980. Reagan first professed and supported Goldwater’s conservative philosophy for the first time during Goldwater’s campaign and ascended to presidency on the same values in 1980 (Department of State).
In 1964, Ronald Reagan delivered a political speech that was nationally televised on behalf of Barry Goldwater. The speech presented the American audience with conservative values held close by one of the cherished actors in Reagan. The speech changed his life and presented Reagan to the country as the supporter of conservative values. In 1980, Ronald Reagan ran on the Republican ticket and became the absolute essence of being a conservative. Reagan worked for bringing the ideals of conservatism to America life and managed to successfully capture belief of the American people in the presidency. Reagan’s achievement was improving the American economy and ending the cold war helped him to be considered as the man responsible for the resurgence of conservatism in America (Department of State).
Conclusion
Conservatism came to the fore in the American politics in 1980s as idealism was in sharp decline. The new conservatism supported the rule of law, freedom, order and tradition, and belief in god. The event that brokered and sold conservatism to America was the Presidential election of 1980 where Ronald Reagan won by raising support for his conservative values. Prior to Reagan, Barry Goldwater introduced conservatism to America, but Reagan made it popular and accepted.
References
A&E Television Networks. THE 1980S. History. History.com. 2016. Web. 20 May 2016.
Regnery., Alfred. S. The Pillars of Modern American Conservatism. Intercollegiate Review. isi.org. 2012. Web. 20 May 2016.
