Explain the pragmatic, political measures Eisenhower used to manage the economy.

Question:Explain the pragmatic, political measures Eisenhower used to manage the economy.

Explain the politics of consensus.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Explain the pragmatic, political measures Eisenhower used to manage the economy.

Explain the politics of consensus.

Eisenhower promoted a stable economy and fought to balance the budget. While he accepted the basic premise of the New Deal, his economic policy followed a moderate course. His two terms produced eight years of growth and relative prosperity. Nearly every indicator of economic health -- GNP, capital investments, personal savings and income -- showed substantial upswings. Additionally, Eisenhower refused to further fuel the economy with politically popular tax cuts.

Critics
have contended that Ike was too content to merely administer over the status quo, while pressing social issues, such as civil rights, cried out for attention. They described a scenario of "the bland leading the bland." But by the 1980s new research revealed an active politician behind the calm exterior. Scholars pointed to the success of Eisenhower's "hidden hand" tactics in solving problems quietly, while avoiding the pitfalls of partisan bickering that had stymied many of his predecessors.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/presidents/...
As president, Eisenhower followed a policy of social and economic "dynamic conservatism." He trimmed the defense budget following the Korean War but approved an increase in Social Security. His administration was also responsible for the interstate highway system, one of the largest public works projects in American history. At the same time, Eisenhower worked to avoid the use of nuclear weapons and he cautioned the country against what he termed "the military-industrial complex," which he thought was aiding and abetting the arms race between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.

http://www.nps.gov/archive/elro/glossary...
Here is considered the substance and goals of President Dwight D. Eisenhower's economic initiatives. The intention of these initiatives was to shift the relationship between public and private efforts in a way that would strengthen the underpinnings of the market-based and market-directed entrepreneurial economy, as well as enhance personal freedom. Also considered are the success of the initiatives, how the economy fared under the initiatives, and how the prospect for growth and improvement in the economy has been borne out since Eisenhower's administration
http://www.springerlink.com/content/r01q...
Three Years out of eight, President Eisenhower achieved a balanced budget. Only LBJ has balanced the budget since--and only once.

In Eisenhower and the Management of Prosperity political scientist John Sloan argues that Ike's performance as chief economic policymaker merits far higher marks than it has received. Along with the revisionists, Sloan underscores Eisenhower's commitment to fiscal responsibility and his impressive skills as leader and politician. But Sloan contends that even the revisionists have underestimated the full range of his accomplishments in shaping America's postwar economy.

http://www.kansaspress.ku.edu/sloeis.htm...