Reaganomics

Reaganomics

An informal term for supply-side economics, which is a macroeconomic theory stating that a government can best promote growth by providing incentives for persons to produce goods and services. The primary way a supply-side oriented government does this is by maintaining low tax rates so that investors and entrepreneurs may use their money toward production. Maintaining low tax rates on the wealthy is one of the most important and controversial aspects of supply-side economics; the theory states that well off persons have the capital available to produce goods and services and thereby create jobs and grow the economy. Critics contend that this does not happen in reality, and that the wealthy are more likely to keep, rather than invest, their money. Reaganomics acquired the name because it was crucial to the economic policies of the administration of U.S. President Ronald Reagan. See also: Keynesian economics, Monetarism, Trickle-down economics.