Conservative Elements and Pragmatic Shifts in Richard Nixon Presidency (Essay Sample)

Assessing the Conservative Elements and Pragmatic Shifts in Richard Nixon Presidency Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation Course Code and Course Name Professor Date Assessing the Conservative Elements and Pragmatic Shifts in Richard Nixon Presidency Richard Nixon used conservative rhetoric to win the 1968 Republican nomination by positioning himself as the champion of the silent majority. According to Lecture 20, his policies were not very conservative but between Kennedy and Reagan. This paper will analyse his campaign messaging, policy selections, and presidential outcomes to assess if Richard Nixon was a conservative president. Nixon did not practice conservatism in expanding the welfare state or in his initiatives to improve ties with China and the Soviet Union. Conservatives perceived his efforts to establish diplomatic ties with communist countries as tolerant toward communism (Lecture 20). Nixon also established the EPA and NTSB to further the Great Society of President Johnson. Nixon expanded the welfare state by increasing Social Security and Food Stamps benefits. He also signed the Clean Air and Endangered Species Act (EPA, 2015). It was not related to conservative ideals. Nixon engaged in interventionist plans in Iran, Chile, the Philippines, and South Africa despite being supposedly sensitive to communism (Lecture 20). More vigour was desired in the conservatives' fight against communism. 1974's Watergate scandal led to Nixon's downfall. His abuse of authority and cover-up were contaminated (PBS, 2023). Liberal Democrats applauded Nixon's resignation since he was a Republican. Ironically, Nixon's downfall led many people to lose faith in big government and aided in the growth of the conservative movement. Due to his abuse of power and general dissatisfaction with the government, conservative ideas of...