Presidency of Ronald Reagan (1981–1984). Economic policy

Abstract

This article presents and introduces the figure of the President of the United States, Ronald Reagan, who held office from 1981 to 1989. Due to the extensive research topic, the main focus was on President Reagan’s first term which lasted from his taking office on January 20, 1981, to the beginning of his second term, on November 6, 1984. Particular attention was paid to the flag-ship economic program called Reaganomics. Its genesis and main assumptions were briefly de-scribed. Historical speeches of the president from 1981–1984 were also used to outline the socio – economic and international situation, Next, some opinions about President Reagan’s rule in the Polish and English – language press were presented in order to better understand the then at-tempt to reform the economic system towards supply – side economics. The summary assessed the economic program called Reaganomics and drew conclusions from the period in question, taking into account the strengths and weaknesses of Ronald Reagan’s presidency such as de-creased inflation, lower unemployment, tax cuts and anti- communist policy. On the weak side: a huge budget deficit and public debt which tripled during his term.