By 1980, the political climate in the United States had shifted away from liberalism and toward Republican-dominated conservatism. This new force for change led by Ronald Reagan opposed almost all liberal policies, believing that these issues undermined family and religious values, the national work ethic, and national security. Although technically Barry Goldwater's failed presidential campaign in 1964 marked the beginning of the conservative resurgence, the new conservative renaissance dramatically changed U.S. social and economic policies from 1980 to 1992. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Conservatism fought against things like social reform and big government. President Ronald Reagan and other political conservatives opposed such things as FDR's highly touted New Deal because of its reliance on welfare programs and the demonstrated involvement of the Roosevelt administration. As a result of these disapprovals, Reagan cut more than $40 million from domestic programs, took a strong anti-union stance, and deregulated business and industry in order to "get government off the backs of the people." Similarly, HW Bush made welfare cuts and vetoed bills written to benefit the lower classes. As a result of the actions taken by conservative leaders, poor citizens and the poorest in society have lost confidence that the government can provide any relief. Likewise, new government actions and policies slowed both the civil rights and feminist movements. Previously established civil rights laws were neither enforced nor respected, and women still struggled to achieve gender equality, their new obstacle being conservative opposition to abortion. Due to the difference in government involvement, conservatism ushered in a new era in which social minorities were considered to be cold-blooded, or at least not given due credit. not the same support they received under a liberal administration. The leaders who spearheaded the conservative resurgence implemented economic policies that coincided with their opposition to what they saw as the flaws of liberalism. For example, Reagan's economic system (Reaganomics) which held that tax cuts and reduced government spending would eventually lead to prosperity, stood in direct contrast to the democratic Keynesian economic system praised by government spending. Reagan's massive tax cuts and deregulation efforts resulted in a national debt that plunged the economy into recession. Through workplace deregulation and union opposition, conservatism shifted the American economy from blue-collar to white-collar. Due to these new illiberal policies of government disassociation, the economy fluctuated during the resurgence of conservatism. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay The conservative resurgence between 1980 and 1992 changed U.S. economic and social policy to a large extent. The Republican Party now dominates American politics while the Democratic Party takes a back seat with..