3 upvotes, 5 direct replies (showing 5)
View submission: Casual Questions Thread
Given that Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis are the top two candidates in 2024 GOP primary polls, what factors have led the GOP base to reject Reagan-era limited-government conservatism and embrace far-right, big-government nationalist populism similar to Viktor Orbán’s current regime in Hungary?
Comment by pluralofjackinthebox at 01/05/2023 at 13:54 UTC
9 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Trump and DeSantis still cut taxes, slash social safety nets, and fork over barrels of cash to corporations just like Reagan, they just don’t advertise it, focusing instead on culture wars.
Like Reagan it’s economic policies for the rich and social policies that poll well with the highly religious.
Comment by Octubre22 at 01/05/2023 at 04:37 UTC
-3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
In what way or Trump or DeSantis big government?
Comment by [deleted] at 30/04/2023 at 20:24 UTC
6 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I'm not convinced limited/small government was ever more than a buzzword tbh.
Comment by fishman1776 at 30/04/2023 at 20:09 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I think a lot of has to do with the 2008 recession shaking peoples faith in the ability of the market to self regulate, and the fact that Romney lost the 2012 election partially due Paul Ryans strict budget hawkishness.
Another reason is that the average republican voter never actually cared about limited government. Republican voters care first and formost about restricting immigration amd will sacrifice any other issue for a candidate sufficiently harsh on immigration.
Comment by [deleted] at 30/04/2023 at 20:01 UTC
-6 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Big government? In what way is Trump big government? Anti-abortion and anti-LGBT have always been pillars of the Republican party, and I can't think of any other policies that can be described as "big government".