This term paper examines the extent to which Margaret Thatcher’s term in office as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, from 1979 to her forced resignation in 1990, affected (conservative) British politics.
It is divided into six chapters. After a brief introduction in chapter 1, an introductory review of literature on contemporary British politics will be presented in chapter 2, with an account of the three distinctive Politics that characterized the period between 1940 and 1990, followed by a brief presentation on Conservatism. Chapter 3 comprises an analysis of what has become known as Thatcherism and includes presentations on Margaret Thatcher as a person and of her political and economic ideals. Chapter 4 will offer some comparisons of the differences and similarities between Conservatism as an ideology and how it has been implemented under Thatcher, considering whether ‘Thatcherism’ exists as a pure political doctrine. Chapter 5 will present a conclusion on the findings from the topics covered in this paper and the final section 6 contains references.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Literature review
2.1 Introductory background to British politics 1940 - 1990
2.1.1 Consensus politics 1940 – 1955
2.1.2 Consensus politics endangered 1955 – 1979
2.1.3 The Thatcher era 1979 – 1990
2.2 Conservatism explained
3 Thatcherism
3.1 Introductory political biography of Margaret Thatcher 1925 - 2013
3.2 Political and economic ideology
4 Conservatism vs. Thatcherism in Contemporary British politics
5 Conclusion
6 References
Objectives and Research Themes
This term paper examines the extent to which Margaret Thatcher’s term as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, from 1979 to 1990, influenced and shaped (conservative) British politics, while comparing these developments to the preceding post-war period.
- The transition from post-war consensus politics to the Thatcher era.
- An analysis of Conservative ideology and its practical implementation.
- Margaret Thatcher’s political biography and her core economic ideals.
- The long-term impact of Thatcherism on the British political landscape and rival political parties.
Excerpt from the Book
3.2 Political and economic ideology
“… you first sort out what you believe in. You then apply it. You don’t compromise on the things matter.” (Margret Thatcher, quoted by Coax and Robins, 1994, p.31)
The above words of Thatcher, describe both her political and economic ideology as a person and as a conservative politician. Interestingly, Thatcher recalls that her character and belief in the ideals of conservatism or individual responsibility date back to lessons learnt from her father – Alderman Alfred Roberts (Coax and Robins, 1994, p.31). Furthermore, Kavanagh (1990, pp.243-244) acknowledges that Baroness Thatcher’s influence on the everyday life of the British people stems from her successful departure from the so-called consensus post-war British politics, thereby earning her a ‘political doctrine’ – Thatcherism, conversant with her political panache.
Furthermore, Kavanagh (1990, pp.245-246), describes Baroness Thatcher as a confrontational politician, who trusts that policy making should be supported by the ideals that one believes in, and that such a principle was lacking in British politics at the time. He also notes that she exhibited a lot of admiration and support for risk takers such as entrepreneurs. However, Kavanagh (1990) concludes that the lack of understanding for the actions and or inactions of past governments by Thatcher relates to the fact that she had no personal memory of, or experience with, the devastating effects of the economic crises of the 1930s.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter outlines the scope of the paper, focusing on the impact of Margaret Thatcher’s premiership on British politics between 1979 and 1990.
2 Literature review: This section provides a background on British politics from 1940 to 1990, detailing the transition from consensus-driven governance to the Thatcher era and defining conservatism.
3 Thatcherism: This chapter analyzes Margaret Thatcher’s political biography and the core economic and political ideologies that defined her leadership style.
4 Conservatism vs. Thatcherism in Contemporary British politics: This chapter compares Thatcher’s radical policy shifts with traditional conservative ideals and examines the divisive impact of her governance on the political climate.
5 Conclusion: This chapter synthesizes the findings, confirming Thatcher’s significant influence on both domestic and international policy, as well as on the evolution of the Labour party.
6 References: This section lists the academic sources utilized to support the arguments presented throughout the term paper.
Keywords
Margaret Thatcher, Thatcherism, British politics, Conservatism, Consensus politics, Post-war, Ideology, Economic policy, Monetarism, Individual responsibility, Prime Minister, Labour Party, Political reform, Sovereignty, Political doctrine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this term paper?
The paper examines the extent to which Margaret Thatcher’s period as Prime Minister from 1979 to 1990 shaped and affected British conservative politics.
What are the central themes discussed in this work?
Key themes include the shift from post-war consensus politics, the ideological framework of Conservatism, the biography of Margaret Thatcher, and the emergence of Thatcherism as a distinct political phenomenon.
What is the primary research objective?
The primary goal is to compare and contrast wartime and post-war conservative politics with the specific policies enacted during the Thatcher era.
Which methodology is employed in this research?
The paper utilizes a literature review and comparative analysis to evaluate political events, policy changes, and ideological shifts between 1940 and 1990.
What topics are covered in the main body of the paper?
The main body covers the historical background of British politics, the explanation of Conservative ideology, a biographical profile of Thatcher, and an analysis of how Thatcherism differed from traditional Conservative policies.
Which keywords characterize this paper?
The work is characterized by terms such as Thatcherism, British politics, Conservatism, economic policy, and consensus politics.
How does the author define Thatcherism in relation to traditional Conservatism?
The paper suggests that while Thatcherism adopted some conservative traits, it marked a radical break with the "middle way" collectivism of the 1950s and 1960s, leaning more toward market-oriented economic ideals.
What role did Margaret Thatcher’s personal background play in her policy decisions?
According to the text, her beliefs in individual responsibility and non-compromise were deeply rooted in lessons learned from her father, which directly informed her confrontational leadership style.
Did Thatcher’s policies fundamentally change the Labour Party?
Yes, the paper notes that the Labour party significantly adapted its political ideology by 1989, including a shift toward supporting EU membership and accepting certain free-market tenets introduced by the Thatcher government.
- Quote paper
- Divine Swerwzie Agbleke (Author), 2014, What influence did Margaret Thatcher have on British politics?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/274892
