Question

In the presidential elections of 1980 the Republican candidate, Ronald Reagan, was easily able to defeat Jimmy Carter. Which of the following explains why many people voted against Carter? A. Carter was unable to gain the release of American hostages held by Iran. B. Pro-communist revolutionaries made advances in Latin America during the late 1970s. C. Inflation became much worse during the late 1970s. D. all of the above

Answer 1

D. Although it wasn't just inflation -- unemployment remained high and economic growth low, a combination called "stagflation" which confounded classical economists, who thought it was one (inflation) or the other (unemployment), but never both.

Even more than this, however, was that Carter represented a fatalistic and depressed attitutude towards these troubles. His response in general to the challenges of the day -- inflation, the enlargment of repressive Soviet power, unemployment, energy shortages and high prices -- was just get used to it, this is how it's going to be, put on a sweater, conserve your fuel and your money, accomodate to evil, lock your doors and hide, your world is in inevitable decline and you should hope to slow it as much as possible and make yourself comfortable on the ride to the bottom.

Which, needlessly to say, is not a very popular message. By contrast Reagan said nonsense! This is a great country, and there is no reason at all it can't be great again. You are held back by the heavy dead hand of incompetent management (from government), and if we lift that the natural energy and inventiveness of the people will bring good times back around again.

A much more popular message. Furthermore, as subsequent events in the 80s proved, he had the advantage of actually being right.

Answer 2

thanks

Answer 3

I think it's amusing that what is "history" to you, in textbooks and all, is just what I (and everyoneI know) remember happened. The Reagan-Carter election was the first in which I was old enough to vote.