Examine the beliefs on which the Reagan administration's foreign policy was based, the actions that those beliefs inspired, and the domestic and international consequences of those actions.

The Reagan administration's foreign policy was based on several key beliefs, including the idea that the Soviet Union was the primary threat to global peace and security, and that a strong military and assertive foreign policy were necessary to counter this threat. This belief in the need for a strong military and assertive foreign policy was inspired by the administration's commitment to promoting democracy and free market capitalism around the world, as well as its desire to roll back Soviet influence in various regions.

These beliefs inspired a number of actions, including a significant increase in defense spending, the development of the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) or "Star Wars" missile defense program, and support for anti-communist insurgencies in countries such as Afghanistan, Nicaragua, and Angola. The administration also took a hardline stance against the Soviet Union, engaging in a policy of "peace through strength" and refusing to negotiate with what Reagan famously called the "evil empire."

The domestic consequences of these actions included a significant increase in military spending, which contributed to a large budget deficit and growing national debt. The administration's support for anti-communist insurgencies also led to controversy and criticism, particularly in the case of the Iran-Contra affair, in which the administration was found to have secretly sold arms to Iran in order to fund the Contras in Nicaragua.

Internationally, the Reagan administration's foreign policy had mixed consequences. While it is credited with helping to bring about the end of the Cold War through its assertive stance against the Soviet Union, its support for anti-communist insurgencies also contributed to regional instability and human rights abuses in countries such as Nicaragua. Additionally, the administration's refusal to negotiate with the Soviet Union initially heightened tensions and increased the risk of nuclear conflict.

In conclusion, the Reagan administration's foreign policy was based on a belief in the need for a strong military and assertive foreign policy to counter the Soviet threat and promote democracy and free market capitalism. This belief inspired a number of actions, with both domestic and international consequences, including increased military spending, controversy over support for anti-communist insurgencies, and a mixed legacy in terms of its impact on the end of the Cold War and regional stability.