Nixonian
Encyclopedia
The term Nixonian, or "Nixonite" is a term used to signify extreme secretiveness or corruption. It can also refer to liberal Republicans.
The term is used to refer to a regime of dirty election tricks
or abuses of power for political gain.
, tend to promote high domestic spending and an active regulatory regime, along with an aggressive foreign policy. This term is somewhat akin to "Rockefeller Republican
", but with an even more pejorative tone; one never self-identifies as a Nixonian. The term is most frequently used by Republicans
to attack self-described moderate
s; when used by Democrats
it is more apt to be used in the context of the Watergate scandal
and the suggestion of Republican corruption.
This moniker is based upon the administration of Richard Nixon
, who ran in 1968 and 1972 as a conservative, only to enact unprecedented amounts of new regulations and government agencies, and expand federally provided social services. Among these were the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, implementation of price and wage controls
to try to reduce inflation
, and an unsuccessful attempt to provide a guaranteed minimum income
to taxpayers.
This term has been increasingly applied to George W. Bush
, because of a domestic spending and regulatory regime more expansive than that of his predecessor, as well as his interventionist foreign policies.
season 20 episode "Homer and Lisa Exchange Cross Words
".
"Nixonian also refers to one who voices an opinion as to whether a game they have played is better than a game they haven't played, based upon its usage by Usenix"
The term is used to refer to a regime of dirty election tricks
Dirty tricks
Dirty tricks are unethical, duplicitous, slanderous or illegal tactics employed to destroy or diminish the effectiveness of political or business opponents...
or abuses of power for political gain.
Other usage
It can also refer to Republicans who, rather than being conservativeConservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
, tend to promote high domestic spending and an active regulatory regime, along with an aggressive foreign policy. This term is somewhat akin to "Rockefeller Republican
Rockefeller Republican
Rockefeller Republican refers to a faction of the United States Republican Party who held moderate to liberal views similar to those of Nelson Rockefeller...
", but with an even more pejorative tone; one never self-identifies as a Nixonian. The term is most frequently used by Republicans
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
to attack self-described moderate
Moderate
In politics and religion, a moderate is an individual who is not extreme, partisan or radical. In recent years, political moderates has gained traction as a buzzword....
s; when used by Democrats
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
it is more apt to be used in the context of the Watergate scandal
Watergate scandal
The Watergate scandal was a political scandal during the 1970s in the United States resulting from the break-in of the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C., and the Nixon administration's attempted cover-up of its involvement...
and the suggestion of Republican corruption.
This moniker is based upon the administration of Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
, who ran in 1968 and 1972 as a conservative, only to enact unprecedented amounts of new regulations and government agencies, and expand federally provided social services. Among these were the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, implementation of price and wage controls
Price controls
Price controls are governmental impositions on the prices charged for goods and services in a market, usually intended to maintain the affordability of staple foods and goods, and to prevent price gouging during shortages, or, alternatively, to insure an income for providers of certain goods...
to try to reduce inflation
Inflation
In economics, inflation is a rise in the general level of prices of goods and services in an economy over a period of time.When the general price level rises, each unit of currency buys fewer goods and services. Consequently, inflation also reflects an erosion in the purchasing power of money – a...
, and an unsuccessful attempt to provide a guaranteed minimum income
Guaranteed minimum income
Guaranteed minimum income is a system of social welfare provision that guarantees that all citizens or families have an income sufficient to live on, provided they meet certain conditions. Eligibility is typically determined by citizenship, a means test and either availability for the labour...
to taxpayers.
-
- "In a field of Nixonians, he [Steve Forbes] will offer some Reaganite hope. A centerpiece will be the flat tax - to spur growth, and to clean out the Beltway lobbies that plumb the tax code for advantage."
-
- – Paul A. Gigot, Wall Street Journal (9/15/95)
-
- "In a field of Nixonians, he [Steve Forbes] will offer some Reaganite hope. A centerpiece will be the flat tax - to spur growth, and to clean out the Beltway lobbies that plumb the tax code for advantage."
This term has been increasingly applied to George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
, because of a domestic spending and regulatory regime more expansive than that of his predecessor, as well as his interventionist foreign policies.
In popular culture
"Nixonian" was a word "removed from the dictionary" according to the SimpsonsThe Simpsons
The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
season 20 episode "Homer and Lisa Exchange Cross Words
Homer and Lisa Exchange Cross Words
"Homer and Lisa Exchange Cross Words" is the sixth episode of The Simpsons twentieth season. It originally aired on Fox in the United States on November 16, 2008. In the episode, Lisa discovers that she has a talent for solving crossword puzzles, and she enters a crossword tournament...
".
"Nixonian also refers to one who voices an opinion as to whether a game they have played is better than a game they haven't played, based upon its usage by Usenix"
See also
- Log Cabin RepublicansLog Cabin RepublicansThe Log Cabin Republicans is an organization that works within the Republican Party to advocate equal rights for all Americans, including gays and lesbians in the United States with state chapters and a national office in Washington, D.C...
- Rockefeller RepublicanRockefeller RepublicanRockefeller Republican refers to a faction of the United States Republican Party who held moderate to liberal views similar to those of Nelson Rockefeller...
- Republican In Name OnlyRepublican In Name OnlyRepublican In Name Only is a pejorative term that refers to a member of the Republican Party of the United States whose political views or actions are considered insufficiently conservative or otherwise not conforming to party positions...
- South Park Republican
- Republican Liberty CaucusRepublican Liberty CaucusThe Republican Liberty Caucus is a political action organization dedicated to promoting the ideals of individual liberty, limited government and free market economics within the Republican Party in the United States. It is part of the libertarian wing of the Republican Party...