Reaganomics

Reaganomics

A popular term used to refer to the economic policies of Ronald Reagan, the 40th U.S. President (1981-1989), which called for widespread tax cuts, decreased social spending, increased military spending, and the deregulation of domestic markets.

Notes:

The term was used by supporters and detractors of Reagan's policies alike. Reaganomics was partially based on the principles of supply-side economics and the trickle-down theory. These theories hold the view that decreases in taxes, especially for corporations, is the best way to stimulate economic growth: the idea is that if the expenses of corporations are reduced, the savings will "trickle down" to the rest of the economy, spurring growth.

Prior to becoming Reagan's Vice President, George H. Bush coined the term "voodoo economics" as a proposed synonym for Reaganomics.

See also: Budget, Deficit, Deflation, Disinflation, Federal Reserve Bank, Fiscal Policy, Keynesian Economics, Laffer Curve, Stagflation, Supply-Side Theory