What has happened, that still has an influence on recent policy of even more left-winged parties as Labour in Britain as the following statement shows? “The Labour (Party) has moved to the right since 1983 is undeniable (…). Is it best explained as an updating of socialism in the face of modernity? Or else as Tory clothes-stealing, a necessary or unnecessary concession to political enemies in the interest of securing an electoral victory?”2 Therefore the goal of this thesis will be to fathom the position of this new economic agenda, called ‘New-Right’, which has at a stretch been adopted by the most former left from the centre positioned parties in the Western World. Of which kind is this strong ideology that caused the crisis of the “New Left” by cutting back the state and the welfare state. This thesis shall furthermore give an idea to what extend did Thatcherism influence the observable substantial change and to what extend were the targets of this ideology achieved successfully or not. But to do so, it is first necessary to give an short overview on the development of state intervention in the shape of the welfare state with a main focus on Britain. Accordingly main economic thoughts and their ideology on social welfare will be illuminated briefly. After elementary information is provided Thatcherism, meaning its ideas, ideology, main aims and critics of interventionalism will be introduced. By doing so it will be possible to evaluate how successful Mrs. Thatcher and the Tories were in rolling back the state. To conclude the recent situation of the “New Left” as political agenda will be touched on.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The Welfare State
- 2.1. General definition
- 2.2. Historical overview on the development of the welfare state
- 2.3. Social Policy in Britain
- 3. Economic Thought
- 3.1. The role of ideology
- 3.2. Economic Thought and the welfare state
- 4. The New Right and Thatcherism
- 4.1. Arguments of the New Right against state intervention
- 4.2. Thatcherism, its policy and the results
- 4.3. Economic performance and the welfare state
- 5. Crisis of the New Left
- References
Objectives and Key Themes
This thesis aims to analyze the impact of the "New Right" economic agenda, particularly Thatcherism, on the welfare state in Britain. It will explore how this ideology led to a crisis for the "New Left" and examine the extent to which Thatcher's policies achieved their stated goals. The analysis will also provide a brief overview of the historical development of the welfare state and relevant economic thought.
- The historical development of the welfare state in Britain.
- The ideological underpinnings of the "New Right" and Thatcherism.
- The policies implemented under Thatcherism and their impact on the economy and the welfare state.
- The effects of Thatcherism on the "New Left" political agenda.
- An evaluation of the success or failure of Thatcher's economic and social policies.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This chapter sets the stage by describing the 1984 miners' strike as a pivotal event reflecting the broader conflict between the Thatcher government and trade unions. It introduces the central research question: understanding the influence of the "New Right" economic agenda on subsequent political shifts, even within formerly left-leaning parties. The chapter outlines the thesis's objectives: to explore the nature of the "New Right" ideology, its impact on the welfare state, and the success of Thatcherism in achieving its aims. The chapter establishes the necessity of initially reviewing the welfare state's development, relevant economic theories, and the core tenets of Thatcherism to effectively analyze its consequences.
2. The Welfare State: This chapter begins by defining the welfare state according to Asa Briggs, highlighting its goals of ensuring minimum income, reducing insecurity, and providing standardized social services. It then presents contrasting economic viewpoints: monetarism, advocating for minimal state intervention and market self-regulation, and Keynesianism, which emphasizes government intervention for economic stabilization and full employment. The chapter further explores the historical evolution of the welfare state, starting with Bismarck's social insurance schemes in Germany, influenced by Marx's critiques of capitalism and pressure from the Social Democratic Party. It covers the state's expansion during wartime and the Great Depression, leading to the post-war "golden era" characterized by simultaneous economic and social progress. This section connects the historical development with the chapter's introduction of differing economic approaches and how they shaped policy choices.
4. The New Right and Thatcherism: This chapter delves into the core arguments of the New Right against state intervention, analyzing Thatcherism's policies and their outcomes. It examines the ideological underpinnings of Thatcherism, exploring its core objectives and how they were translated into policy. The analysis will likely detail specific policy changes related to trade unions, public companies, and economic deregulation. By meticulously reviewing policy choices and their practical impact, this chapter sets the stage for a comprehensive assessment of the success of Thatcherism's strategy. A critical examination of the actual effects of these policies will help to determine the extent to which the "New Right" agenda's targets were fulfilled.
Keywords
Thatcherism, welfare state, New Right, monetarism, Keynesianism, state intervention, economic policy, social policy, trade unions, economic performance, New Left, Britain, social insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Thatcherism's Impact on the British Welfare State
What is the main topic of this thesis?
This thesis analyzes the impact of the "New Right" economic agenda, specifically Thatcherism, on the British welfare state. It explores how this ideology led to a crisis for the "New Left" and examines the extent to which Thatcher's policies achieved their stated goals.
What are the key themes explored in the thesis?
The key themes include the historical development of the British welfare state, the ideological underpinnings of Thatcherism, the policies implemented under Thatcherism and their economic and social impacts, the effects of Thatcherism on the "New Left," and an evaluation of the success or failure of Thatcher's policies.
What is the scope of the historical overview provided?
The historical overview covers the development of the welfare state, starting with Bismarck's social insurance schemes in Germany, its expansion during wartime and the Great Depression, and its post-war "golden era." It also contrasts differing economic viewpoints, such as monetarism and Keynesianism.
How does the thesis address the "New Right" and Thatcherism?
The thesis delves into the core arguments of the "New Right" against state intervention, analyzing Thatcherism's policies and their outcomes. It examines the ideological underpinnings of Thatcherism, its core objectives, and how these were translated into policy, including specific changes related to trade unions, public companies, and economic deregulation.
What is the significance of the 1984 miners' strike?
The 1984 miners' strike is presented as a pivotal event reflecting the broader conflict between the Thatcher government and trade unions, setting the stage for the thesis's central research question.
What are the key economic theories discussed?
The thesis discusses monetarism, advocating minimal state intervention and market self-regulation, and Keynesianism, emphasizing government intervention for economic stabilization and full employment.
How does the thesis assess the success of Thatcherism?
The thesis critically examines the actual effects of Thatcher's policies to determine the extent to which the "New Right" agenda's targets were met. This evaluation forms a significant part of the analysis.
What are the chapter summaries provided?
Chapter summaries are provided, outlining the key arguments and content of each chapter: Introduction, The Welfare State, The New Right and Thatcherism, and Crisis of the New Left. Each summary highlights the key points and contributions of that chapter to the overall thesis.
What are the keywords associated with the thesis?
Keywords include Thatcherism, welfare state, New Right, monetarism, Keynesianism, state intervention, economic policy, social policy, trade unions, economic performance, New Left, Britain, and social insurance.
What is the overall objective of the thesis?
The overall objective is to understand the influence of the "New Right" economic agenda on subsequent political shifts and to provide a comprehensive analysis of Thatcherism's impact on the British welfare state and the "New Left".
- Citar trabajo
- Timur Karabiber (Autor), 2004, Thatcherism and the welfare state, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/31354
