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Harding's economic policies are actually a good example of how a laissez-faire approach addresses economic downturns, the downturn here being the depression of 1920-21. According to the Department of Commerce, GNP fell 18% and unemployment had reached 12%. As a point of comparison, there was no point during the depression a decade later when deflation shot so high so quickly.

Contrary to the pleadings of Herbert Hoover, Harding opted not to use his office in the more progressive manner associated currently with Keynesians and prior to Harding's administration with Wilson (aggressive centralized fiscal policies boosting government spending to "prime the pump"). Harding, realizing that the expansion of credit Wilson and the Federal Reserve (actually created during Wilson's administration) had espoused had led to nearly 20% inflation by 1919 only to be followed by equally vicious deflation a year later, actually cut the federal budget from its wartime levels by 72% from 1919 to 1921 and lowered taxes across the board. The national debt consequently fell by $300 million due to the surplus.

It is sometimes thought that Harding favored big business and opposed labor, though there are those who view this as a "cum hoc, ergo propter hoc" fallacy. Labor unions historically keep a low profile during economic downturns and it is unwise for a government looking to foster growth to make it more difficult for the entities doing the hiring to afford their employees. Similarly, tax cuts necessarily result in greater dollar-for-dollar savings for high earners, as they pay the bulk of the taxes anyway.

Coolidge continued along the same lines as Harding, with equally impressive results. It was under his administration that income taxes that had been as high as 65% under Wilson and that Harding had worked to reduce were brought down to 20%. Government spending remained low, and under Coolidge the national debt went from $22.3 billion to $16.9 billion. By his own admission of a decidedly pro-business mindset, his policies' benefits extended to all Americans; so much so that by the end of his administration 98% of the American people paid no income tax at all, yet the government still showed surpluses in excess of $700 million that same year.

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What best describes the expectation for modern presidents to safeguard the country's economic interest by positively influencing the economy with his or her policies?

"Economic Executive" is a way to describe this expectation.


How did Coolidge feel about government regulation of business activity?

Calvin Coolidge was the 30th president of the United States. He was conservative and believed in a small government, which had little say in what businesses did. So, in short, the way Coolidge felt about government regulation of business activity, is that he didn't like it, and he didn't believe in it.


Which group benefited the most from the policies of president Calvin Coolidge?

Big business


What did President Coolidge mean by the phrase the business of America is business?

President Calvin Coolidge's phrase "the business of America is business" reflects his belief in the importance of economic growth and entrepreneurship in American society. He emphasized that the government's role should be limited, allowing businesses to thrive and drive prosperity. Coolidge's statement underscored the idea that a strong, free-market economy was essential for the nation's success and stability. This philosophy aligned with the broader economic policies of the 1920s, which prioritized deregulation and minimal government intervention.


What policies did Warren G. Harding and Calvin Coolidge adopt toward business?

Calvin Coolidge thought that there should be not government interference and he favored small businesses.

Related Questions

Presidents Harding and Coolidge favored policies that .?

Aided the growth of business


Which group did the economic policies of president Coolidge appealed to?

Coolidge was a popular president . Apparently the majority of people liked his economic policies. They were especially attractive to business owners, to people who worked for businesses and for people who aspired to start a business.


What is the economic policies of both Harding's and Coolidge's administrations tended to favor?

large companies


Economic policies of Philippine presidents from roxas to arroyo?

yawa! wala..


What were the negative impacts of Harding and Coolidge's policies?

The policies of Presidents Warren G. Harding and Calvin Coolidge contributed to significant economic challenges, including income inequality and a lack of regulatory oversight that ultimately led to the stock market crash of 1929. Harding's administration was marred by scandals, such as Teapot Dome, which eroded public trust in government. Coolidge's laissez-faire approach encouraged speculative investment and corporate consolidation, fostering an unstable economic environment. These policies set the stage for the Great Depression, highlighting the dangers of insufficient regulation and prioritizing business interests over social welfare.


How was big businesses regarded by the Harding Coolidge and Hoover and how was big businesses regarded by the Harding Coolidge and Hoover and administrations?

During the administrations of Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover, big businesses were generally regarded positively, with a strong emphasis on promoting economic growth and prosperity. These presidents believed that supporting business interests would lead to job creation and increased wealth for the nation. They favored policies that reduced regulation and taxes on businesses, reflecting a pro-business stance that emphasized minimal government intervention in the economy. However, this approach also contributed to economic disparities and ultimately played a role in the challenges faced during the Great Depression.


Which phrase best describes the administrations of Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge?

The administrations of Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge are best described as a period of conservative governance characterized by a focus on economic growth, limited government intervention, and a return to "normalcy" after World War I. Harding's tenure was marred by scandals such as Teapot Dome, while Coolidge emphasized business-friendly policies and a laissez-faire approach. Both presidents prioritized tax cuts and deregulation, fostering an environment that contributed to the economic prosperity of the 1920s.


Where statement best summarizes the economic policies of the presidents during the 1920s?

The best government is the one that governs the least


How do independent regulatory agencies influence the U.S. government?

they independently create and enforce policies to monitor the economy


What best describes the expectation for modern presidents to safeguard the country's economic interest by positively influencing the economy with his or her policies?

"Economic Executive" is a way to describe this expectation.


When vice president Coolidge took over as president did he set out to repair the damage of the previous president?

Coolidge cleaned up the scandals that Harding had seen in his administration. Otherwise, Coolidge for the most part stuck with Harding's foreign and economic policies which some believe led to trouble for the US.


How did the attitude of Presidents Harding Coolidge and Hoover toward business and how did this attitude set the stage for the Great Depression?

Presidents Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover adopted a pro-business stance, promoting minimal government intervention in the economy and encouraging rapid industrial growth. Their policies, characterized by tax cuts for the wealthy and deregulation, fostered an environment of speculation and overextension in the stock market. This unregulated expansion created economic vulnerabilities that contributed to the 1929 stock market crash and the onset of the Great Depression. Ultimately, their lack of oversight and focus on business prosperity laid the groundwork for the economic collapse that followed.