Reaganomics, popular term for the economic policies of U.S. Pres. Ronald Reagan. The word is a portmanteau of Reagan and economics and was first attributed to radio broadcaster Paul Harvey. It has been used by both Reagan’s supporters and critics. The policies have also been referred to as supply-side economics, free-market economics, and trickle-down economics. When Reagan ran for president in 1980, the U.S. economy was suffering from high inflation and high unemployment (a combination sometimes called stagflation). Reagan promised to remedy this with a multipart plan that included: Influenced by the theories of economist Arthur Laffer, the plan was ...(100 of 1255 words) Access the full article Help support true facts by becoming a member. Subscribe today!