FDR's New Deal and, after it, Republican President Dwight Eisenhower's similar Middle Way, used the government to regulate business, provide a basic social safety net, and promote infrastructure, like roads and bridges.

The quote “FDR's New Deal and, after it, Republican President Dwight Eisenhower's similar Middle Way, used the government to regulate business, provide a basic social safety net, and promote infrastructure, like roads and bridges” by Heather Cox Richardson highlights a significant period in American political and economic history. Richardson, a historian known for her expertise on American politics, explains how both Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal and Dwight Eisenhower’s Middle Way policies embodied a pragmatic approach where the government played an active role in managing the economy and supporting citizens.

The New Deal, initiated by FDR during the Great Depression, involved extensive government intervention to regulate industries, create jobs, and offer social welfare programs to protect the most vulnerable. This transformative set of policies reshaped the relationship between the federal government and the economy, laying the foundation for the modern social safety net. Eisenhower’s Middle Way continued in a similar vein, advocating for balanced government involvement to foster economic stability, while also promoting critical infrastructure projects like the Interstate Highway System.

Richardson’s quote points to a bipartisan recognition during the mid-20th century that government action was essential to ensure economic growth and social stability. Both Democratic and Republican leaders saw value in regulating business practices, investing in public works, and supporting citizens through social programs. This approach helped the U.S. navigate post-Depression recovery and build a prosperous, interconnected society.

Ultimately, the quote underscores how these historical policies reflect a time when government was broadly accepted as a partner in progress, playing a vital role in economic management and public welfare. Richardson’s analysis reminds us that effective governance often involves a balance between free enterprise and responsible regulation to promote both growth and equity.