Thatcherism

Question 1

Define Thatcherism

Answer 1

A set of political, economic, and ideological changes associated with the conservative gov between 1979-1990

Question 2

What were the recurring problems that gov faced in the 1970s?

Answer 2

End of post- war boom and steady economic growth. 
High Inflation.
High unemployment. 
Lack of money to invest in NHS.
Tense relations with TU.

Question 3

What were the political failures in the 1970s which Thatcher exploited?

Answer 3

Wilson's U Turn.
The Social Contract.
Miners Strikes. 
IMF Loan.
Winter of Discontent.

Question 4

Who was Joseph Keith? and what did he argue in the 1970s?

Answer 4

Right Wing lecturer, who argued that there was a need to radically cut the size of state, and gov spending.

Question 5

What are Think- Tanks?

Answer 5

Organisations or academics bound together by a common, political agenda. e.g Adam Smith Institute.

Question 6

What did the Adam Smith organisation try and do?

Answer 6

Come up with ideas of how to reform the economy based on free markets ideals.

Question 7

What are the main principles of Free Market economics?

Answer 7

Individuals keep as much money they earn as possible.
Allow people to invest and create jobs.
Allow people to use their creativity.
Allow industries that are inefficient to fail.

Question 8

What were the 3 main attitudes towards the economy under Thatcher?

Answer 8

Cut the size of the state, limit public spending, and encourage entrepreneurship.

Question 9

What changes occurred in the 1980s? (7)

Answer 9

Move to Neo-liberalism and Free Market economics.
De-regulated banks and tried to make London a centre for finance. New set of banking reforms.
Cuts in direct taxation.
Privatization of Gas and Electricity.
Limited power of TU.
Centralization of Gov.
Introduction to Quasi-Markets to public sector.

Question 10

What were Quasi-markets supposed to do?

Answer 10

Were introduced to public sector, in help increase standards and encourage competitiveness.

Question 11

What was Thatcher’s attitude to Europe?

Answer 11

Early 1980s pro- eu as provided economy with trade opportunities.
However, tensions rose as she demanded rebate of British Contribution to EU as they weren’t getting enough out of it.
Signed single European act, which was a big step to political integration.
1988 Bruges speech, expressed hostility.

Question 12

What were Thatcher and Reagan both pro?

Answer 12

Market policies, anti-communism and nuclear defense.

Question 13

What did Thatcher and Reagan disagree on?

Answer 13

Falklands war, Grenada invasion.

Question 14

When was the Falklands war?

Answer 14

1982.

Question 15

What did the ‘Wets’ favour?

Answer 15

A more interventionist approach to economic policy.

Question 16

When were the Miner’s strikes in Thatcher’s era? and who won?

Answer 16

1984-85. Thatcher gov.

Question 17

What did the Thatcher Conservative disagreement on? and what did it lead to?

Answer 17

Policies dealing with high unemployment, eurpoean integration. Senior cabinet members such as Michael Heseltine resigned and became a back bencher.

Question 18

When was the Poll tax introduced and what was it?

Answer 18

1990, a new type of local taxation.

Question 19

Why is it argued Thatcher was lucky?

Answer 19

Labour’s internal arguments in the 1980s and split in 1981.
Discovery of North Sea oil which brought wealth and freedom for spending.
Thatcher’s opponents were very L like Arther Scargill, so easy to disagree with him.

Question 20

Why was the leadership of Thatcher so significant?

Answer 20

Challenged and defeat Ted Heath in 1979.
Became the first ever female uk Pm.
Won 3 successive GE, 1979, 83, 87.

Question 21

What was the impact of Thatcher economically?

Answer 21

She wanted to reduce size of state.
However, give spending increased due to investment in health, and education.
Economy rose significantly.
Led to a relative decrease in size of state, and a greater GDP.

Question 22

What was Thatcher’s impact in terms of inequality?

Answer 22

Economic inequality sharply increased.

Poverty increased. (Price to pay for better NHS?)

Question 23

What were the levels of unemployment like in the 1980s under Thatcher?

Answer 23

Extremely high. 12% of population. 1/10 unemployed. 3 million people.

Question 24

What would the proponents of Thatcher say was good about her leadership?

Answer 24

She tackled inefficient industries and TU which led to steady economic growth.
She increased home ownership by privatisation program. Council houses could be bought at a good price.
She encouraged business growth, and promoted self-reliance and people not to depend on state.

Question 25

What Detractors of Thatcher argue?

Answer 25

That Thatcher recklessly deserved the British Industry, when inefficient industries could have been abandoned more gradually.
She encouraged social devision/ selfishness/ greed.
North/South divide developed.
Left more people on benefits and long term unemployed.

Question 26

What did John Gray’s ‘unintended consequences’ say about Thatcher?

Answer 26

Thatcher's economic revolution led to Britain as it is today. 
Society is 
 obsessed with self-realisation
 more liberal
 less monocultural
 less class bound 
 more insecure and unequal.

Question 27

What did Bulpitt argue about Thatcher?

Answer 27

Thatcher did well to hold onto power and win 3 elections. Must have projected level of governing competence. Labour’s welfare policy more popular, however C get majority.

Question 28

What are the economic explanations for Thatcherism?

Answer 28

International economic pressures drove change. France did a similar thing to Thatcher Privatization. Shows that the global economy was changing and new products and services had to be provided. Gov had to take radical steps to adjust to new economy.

Question 29

What did Jessop argue in terms of explaining Thatcherism?

Answer 29

Argued that Thatcher pursued a two nations economic strategy that was disproportionate between North/South. Tories knew the support from South would keep them in Gov.

Question 30

Explain the ideological explanations for Thatcherism

Answer 30

The 1979 election was a profound election, that wasn’t just about votes. It was about winning the heart and minds of voters. Thatcherism was represented as Common Sense.

Question 31

Who were opponents to Thatcherism?

Answer 31

Neil Kinnock L. 1984-1992. Exploited C’s unpopular policies on education and wealth. Argued they were selfish.
Devolution of Scotland and Wales.
Left-wing councils such as Greater London antagonised Thatcher.
1988 Liberal Democrats offered a non-socialist alternative to Thatcher.

Question 32

How many years was Thatcher in office for?

Answer 32

Eleven continuous years. The longest period for a British PM in modern politics.