Conservatism on global politics Flashcards
United States
1) Political impact
[I] Rise of conservative movements = Tea Party, Christian right, and Reagan Revolution
[a] Tea Party Movement
= began in 2009 as a response to Obama’s policies - particularly economic stimulus plan and health care reform
- Made up of primarily conservative and libertarian activists, advocated for limited government, lower taxes, and reducing government spending
[b] The Christian Right
= term used to describe a group of conservative Christian activists who became politically active in the 1970s and 1980s
- Motivated by concerns about issues such as abortion, gay rights, and school prayer, and sought to promote their conservative values in politics
[c] The Reagan Revolution
= refers to the conservative political movement that emerged during the presidency of Ronald Reagan in the 1980s
- Reagan advocated for lower taxes, smaller government, and a strong national defense
- Also emphasized the importance of traditional values and the free market
[II]The dominance of the Republican Party in conservative politics
[a] Control of Congress = Party has held a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives for most of the past two decades, and they controlled the U.S. Senate from 2015-2021
- During these periods, they were able to pass legislation that reflected their conservative values.
[b] Republican Presidents = Over past several decades, Reps have held Pres more often than Dems
– Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush implemented conservative policies, such as tax cuts and deregulation
[c] Conservative Media =
– Fox News, Breitbart News, and the Daily Caller
– Introduction of Fox News - 0.4 and 0.7 percentage points for Reps in towns that broadcast Fox
[III] Promotion of conservative policies such as tax cuts, deregulation, and limited government intervention
[a] Tax Cuts
– Trump = Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (2017)
– Reagan:
–> Economic Recovery Tax Act (ERTA) (1981) = reduced individual tax rates by 25% over 3 years, lowered maximum capital gains tax rate from 28% –> 20%, and increased the depreciation allowance for businesses
– Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act
(TEFRA) (1982) = closed some tax loopholes and increased the Social Security payroll tax, but it also provided some tax relief by indexing tax brackets to inflation and increasing the standard deduction
– Tax Reform Act (1986) = simplified the tax code by eliminating many deductions and exemptions, and lowered the top marginal tax rate from 50% –> 28%
[b] Deregulation
– 1982: Reagan - signed the Garn-St. Germain Depository Institutions Act, (deregulated the savings and loan industry - led to a wave of mergers and acquisitions in the industry, but also contributed to the savings and loan crisis in the late 1980s)
[IV] The appointment of conservative judges to the Supreme Court and other federal courts
– The Taft Court (1921-1930) - appointed by President Taft - conservative approach to economic regulation and strict interpretation of the Constitution
– Burger Court (1969-1986) appointed by Nixon - known for conservative rulings on issues such as abortion, affirmative action, and executive power
– Rehnquist Court (1986-2005) - appointed by Presidents Reagan and George H.W. Bush - known for its conservative rulings on issues such as federalism, civil rights, and criminal justice
– Roberts Court (2005-present) - appointed by George W. Bush - conservative trend of the Rehnquist Court on many issues, including voting rights, campaign finance, and gun rights
2) Economic impact
[I] Promotion of free-market capitalism and neoliberalism
- Economic Growth - US - economic growth since adopting free-market capitalism
– GDP has increased by an average of 2.3% per year since 1947, and this growth has been fuelled by innovation, entrepreneurship, and competition
[II] Implementation of supply-side economics, including tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations
[a] Tax cuts = economists argue that reducing tax rates, especially for high-income earners and businesses, will incentivize them to work harder, invest more, and produce more goods and services.
– Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of (2017)
[b] Trade liberalization = Supply-side economists argue that reducing trade barriers (tariffs and quotas) will allow businesses to access larger markets and increase their competitiveness
– North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
– Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) were both trade agreements that aimed to reduce trade barriers
[III] Deregulation of industries like finance and energy
– 2004: George W. Bush - signed the SEC Regulatory Accountability Act (which required the Securities and Exchange Commission to perform a cost-benefit analysis for any new regulations)
– Bush signed the Energy Policy Act (2005) = aimed to increase domestic production of oil, gas, and nuclear power - also streamlined the permitting process for new energy infrastructure projects
[IV] Opposition to labour unions and worker protections
– 1981: Reagan = fired over 11,000 air traffic controllers who went on strike, effectively breaking their union
– Calvin Coolidge = “There is no right to strike against the public safety by anybody, anywhere, anytime”
3) Social impact
[I] Promotion of traditional social values such as family, religion, and patriotism
– The Defence of Marriage Act (DOMA) (1996) = defined marriage as a union between one man and one woman
(designed to promote traditional family values and prevent the legalization of same-sex marriage)
– No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) (2001) = required schools to teach students about the history and principles of American democracy, including patriotism, civic responsibility, and the values of the founding fathers
– National Day of Prayer (established 1952) = encourages Americans to pray for the nation and its leaders - reinforces the importance of religion in American society and promotes traditional values
[II] The opposition to abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, and progressive social movements
– The Hyde Amendment (1976) = prohibits the use of federal funds for abortions except in cases of rape, incest, or when the life of the mother is endangered
– Trump’s transgender military ban (2019) = barred transgender individuals from serving in the military, reversing an Obama-era policy that had allowed them to serve openly
– North Carolina’s HB2 (2016) =requires individuals to use public restrooms that correspond with the sex on their birth certificate, rather than their gender identity -criticized as discriminatory against transgender individuals and led to boycotts of the state by several organizations and businesses
[III] The defence of gun rights and the 2nd Amendment
– Firearm Owners Protection Act (FOPA) (1986) = prohibits the federal govt from creating a national registry of firearms + protects the rights of law-abiding citizens to transport firearms across state lines
– Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) of 2005 shields firearms manufacturers and dealers from lawsuits brought by victims of gun violence, except in cases where the manufacturer or dealer knowingly sold a gun to someone who posed a risk of harming others.
Poland
= Conservatism has had a significant impact on Polish politics, particularly since the country’s transition to democracy in 1989
- The Solidarity movement, which played a critical role in ending communist rule in Poland, was founded on conservative values, including traditional Catholic beliefs and a commitment to national sovereignty
1) Political impact
[I] The rise of the Law and Justice (PiS) Party
[a] Populist Appeal
- PiS has been able to tap into the growing sense of populism and nationalism in Poland
- Has successfully appealed to voters who feel left behind by the political establishment and who are looking for a party that will prioritize their interests
[b] Anti-Establishment Rhetoric
- PiS has been able to position itself as an anti-establishment party, which has resonated with many Polish voters who are disillusioned with the traditional political parties
- Also been able to capitalize on the perceived corruption and cronyism of the previous govt
[c] Social Conservatism
- PiS has been able to mobilize conservative voters by promoting socially conservative policies, such as opposing same-sex marriage and abortion
- These policies have helped the party to win support from more traditional and religiously conservative voters
[d] Economic Policies
- PiS has also focused on economic policies that appeal to working-class voters, such as increasing the minimum wage and introducing new social welfare programs
- Have helped the party to win support from voters who feel left behind by Poland’s economic transformation
[e] Strong Leadership
- PiS has benefited from having a strong and charismatic leader in Jaros≈Çaw Kaczy≈Ñski, who has been able to rally the party’s supporters and maintain its momentum
2) The History of Poland
- Poland has a long and complex history, which includes periods of independence and foreign domination.
- Faced numerous challenges throughout its history, including war, occupation, and political upheaval
- Many Poles take pride in their history and culture, and some view conservatism as a way to preserve these values
3) Social Composition of Poland
- Polish society is predominantly Catholic and conservative values are deeply rooted in the culture
- Many Poles view family, tradition, and religion as important aspects of their identity
- Also a strong sense of national pride, which can manifest as a desire to maintain traditional Polish values and resist outside influences
4) Economic Changes in Poland
- Poland has undergone significant economic changes since the fall of communism in 1989
- Transitioned from a centrally planned economy to a market-oriented one and has experienced rapid growth in recent years
- While these changes have brought many benefits, they have also led to social and economic inequalities that have contributed to the rise of populist and conservative movements
2) Economic impact
[I] The promotion of free-market capitalism and neoliberalism
- Poland has promoted free-market capitalism by implementing various economic reforms and policies that encourage private enterprise and competition. Some of the key measures include:
[a] Privatization = Polish govt has privatized many state-owned enterprises and assets, allowing for greater private ownership and market competition
- Early 1990s initiated a comprehensive program of privatization, which involved the sale of state-owned enterprises to private investors
- Allowed for increased competition and efficiency in various industries
[b] Deregulation = govt has reduced regulations and bureaucratic obstacles to business formation and operation, making it easier for entrepreneurs to start and grow their businesses
- Has deregulated various sectors of the economy, including telecommunications, energy, and transportation
- Encouraged the development of new businesses and allowed for increased competition
[c] Tax reform
- Poland has implemented a flat tax system, which simplifies the tax code and reduces the burden on businesses and individuals
[d] Trade liberalization = Pursued free trade agreements with other countries and joined the EU, which has opened up new markets for Polish goods and services
[e] Financial sector reform = govt has liberalized the financial sector, allowing for greater foreign investment and competition among banks and other financial institutions
[II] Reduce Government Spending and Lower taxes
- Led to a decrease in the budget deficit and has improved the fiscal position of the country
- Govt has implemented policies that support small businesses, such as simplifying the tax system and reducing the administrative burden for entrepreneurs
[a] Reduced Government Spending
– 2018 govt reduced the budget for the National Science Centre by 35%, which led to protests from the scientific community
– 2020 govt announced plans to reduce spending on public media, including the Polish public broadcaster, TVP, which has been criticized for being biased in favour of the ruling party
– 2021 = govt proposed cuts to the country’s health care budget, which led to protests from health care workers and opposition parties
- The proposed cuts were eventually withdrawn.
[b] Lower Taxes
- Introduction of a new tax-free income threshold
– 2019 = PiS introduced new tax-free income threshold of PLN 22,000 per year (approximately $5,800)
[c] Reduction of VAT on certain products
– 2020 = PiS reduced the VAT on menstrual products from 23% –> 8%
- Also applied to certain baby products, such as diapers and baby wipes
[d] Increase in tax deductions for families
- PiS increased tax deductions for families with children
– 2019 = deduction for each child increased from PLN 1,452 –> PLN 2,360.
[e] Implementation of policies that prioritize Polish businesses and workers
- Cons govt has also implemented policies that prioritize Polish businesses and workers
- Introduced regulations that make it more difficult for foreign companies to acquire Polish assets, which is intended to protect domestic businesses.
- Also introduced policies that encourage Polish companies to invest in research and development, with the aim of making Poland a more innovative economy
–PiS has introduced policies that prioritize Polish companies when awarding government contracts - aim - promote growth of Polish businesses + create more job opportunities for Polish workers
– Anti-immigration policies = PiS introduced policies that limit immigration to Poland
– Tax cuts for Polish workers = PiS has introduced tax cuts aimed at benefiting Polish workers = 2019: introduced a law that exempted workers under the age of 26 from paying income tax
3) Social impact
[I] The promotion of traditional social values such as family, religion, and patriotism
[a]”Family 500+” Program (2016) = provides financial assistance to families with children - aim = encourage families to have more children and to support traditional family structures - popular
[b] National Family Council = government body, established in 2007, to promote family values and support families in Poland
- Works to create policies & programs that encourage families to spend more time together and to support traditional family structures
[c] Promotion of Religion = 2018: govt passed a law that criminalizes public defamation of the “good name of Poland” and the “Polish nation.”
- Been criticized as an attempt to stifle free speech and dissent, but supporters argue that it is necessary to protect the country’s values and traditions
[d] Nationalism and Patriotism
- Recent years, govt has emphasized the importance of celebrating national holidays and commemorating Polish historical figures
- Promoting idea of a “strong Poland” that is able to defend itself against external threats
[II] The opposition to abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, and progressive social movements
[a] “LGBT-free zones”
- Several municipalities in Poland have declared themselves “LGBT-free zones” or “free of LGBT ideology,” which means they do not promote or support LGBT rights or issues
[b] Ban on same-sex marriage
- Poland’s constitution defines marriage as between a man and a woman, and attempts to legalize same-sex marriage have been met with strong opposition
[c] Restrictions on adoption
- Same-sex couples are not allowed to adopt children in Poland, and single people who are not heterosexual are also restricted from adopting
[d] Censorship of LGBT content
- 2019, a children’s book about a same-sex relationship was removed from a school library after a complaint from a parent
- Govt has also sought to restrict access to LGBT content online
