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[[File:Reagan-at-durenberger-rally.jpg|Right|120px|thumb|Phrase was popularized by Reagan]]

[[File:Reagan-at-durenberger-rally.jpg|Right|120px|thumb|Phrase was popularized by Reagan]]

'''Peace through strength''' is a principle which stands in recognition that having the ability to repel a bad actor is the best way to preserve peace.  The phrase was popularized by [[Ronald Reagan]], however, has been associated with President [[George Washington]] and may have been described by leaders going as far back as the Roman Emperor [[Hadrian]].

'''Peace through strength''' is a principle which stands in recognition that having the ability to repel a bad actor is the best way to preserve peace.  The phrase was popularized by [[Ronald Reagan]] and has been included as a part of every [[Republican Party]] platform since 1980.  The concept goes back further than the 20th century.  It has been associated with President [[George Washington]] and may have been described by leaders going as far back as the Roman Emperor [[Hadrian]].

 

During the Reagan presidency, the slogan was used to appeal to moderates and Independents to support increases in defense spending in the post-[[Vietnam war]] era, and funnel cuts in [[Great Society]] [[social]] spending that led to [[stagflation]] in the 1970s into new defense spending. The [[strategy]] was modernization of [[weapon]]s systems to force the [[Soviet Union]] into an [[arms race]] which they could not keep up with.

==Founding Fathers==

==Founding Fathers==

President [[Ronald Reagan]] spoke of peace through strength.  Most notably, he spoke of it on February 26, 1986:<ref>[https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/sspeeches/22686b Address to the Nation on National Security]</ref>

President [[Ronald Reagan]] spoke of peace through strength.  Most notably, he spoke of it on February 26, 1986:<ref>[https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/sspeeches/22686b Address to the Nation on National Security]</ref>

:One cannot sit in this office reviewing intelligence on the military threat we face, making decisions from arms control to Libya to the Philippines, without having that concern for America's security weigh constantly on your mind. We know that peace is the condition under which mankind was meant to flourish. Yet peace does not exist of its own will. It depends on us, on our courage to build it and guard it and pass it on to future generations. George Washington's words may seem hard and cold today, but history has proven him right again and again. ``To be prepared for war,'' he said, ``is one of the most effective means of preserving peace.'' Well, to those who think strength provokes conflict, Will Rogers had his own answer. He said of the world heavyweight champion of his day: ``I've never seen anyone insult Jack Dempsey.''

:One cannot sit in this office reviewing intelligence on the military threat we face, making decisions from [[arms control]] to Libya to the Philippines, without having that concern for America's [[security]] weigh constantly on your mind. We know that [[peace]] is the condition under which mankind was meant to flourish. Yet peace does not exist of its own will. It depends on us, on our courage to build it and guard it and pass it on to future generations. George Washington's words may seem hard and cold today, but history has proven him right again and again. ``To be prepared for war,'' he said, ``is one of the most effective means of preserving peace.'' Well, to those who think strength provokes conflict, Will Rogers had his own answer. He said of the world heavyweight champion of his day: ``I've never seen anyone insult Jack Dempsey.''

==References==

==References==

[[Category:Political Terms]]

[[Category:Political Terms]]

[[Category:Ronald Reagan]]

[[Category:Ronald Reagan]]