'Reasonable Encouragement to Our Home Industry': The Republican Party's Response to the Coronavirus   [open pdf - 3MB]

From the Key Points: "[1] Conservatives and libertarians have criticized congressional Republicans for responding to the coronavirus pandemic with deficit-financed stimulus. [2] While the deficit is no doubt an issue that deserves more attention, Republican responses--particularly the efforts to prop up the business community--are in keeping with the party's long-established ideology. [3] Since its founding, the Republican Party has had a close connection to American business, and, viewed in this light, its response to the coronavirus is consistent with party orthodoxy."