40th President · 1981–1989 · Republican
Ronald Reagan
Won the Cold War and restored national confidence. His era also accelerated deindustrialization, and Iran-Contra was a disgrace.
OverallBGPA 2.97
The grades
- SovereigntyDid they put American interests first and keep decisions in American hands?A-
- HemisphereDid they guard the Americas against rival powers and threats?B
- RestraintDid they keep the country out of wars of choice that weakened it?B
- StatecraftDid they use diplomacy, force and alliances skillfully, on American terms?A
- Industry and tradeDid they protect and build American industry?B-
- Working AmericansDid ordinary working families do better because of them?C
- BuildingDid they build things that lasted and push the frontier forward?B-
- NationDid they strengthen a shared American identity and the Union?C+
- CompetenceWere they capable, honest and effective in office?B+
On the axes
MarketEconomyPopulist
Free tradeTradeProtectionist
RestraintForeign policyInterventionist
CosmopolitanNationNational
Dark dot: Ronald Reagan. Red mark: the Monroe Society. Ideological closeness to the Society: 50%.