Neoliberal Thought and Thatcherism: ‘A Transition From Here to There?’ (Routledge Studies in Modern British History) - Softcover

Ledger, Robert

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0367349418 ISBN 13: 9780367349417

Publisher: Routledge, 2021

Synopsis

The premiership of Margaret Thatcher has been portrayed as uniquely ideological in its pursuit of a more market-based economy. A body of literature has been built on how a sharp turn to the right by the Conservative Party during the 1980s - inspired by the likes of Milton Friedman and Friedrich Hayek - acted as one of the key stepping stones to the turbo-charged capitalism and globalization of our modern world. But how ‘neoliberal’ was Thatcherism? The link between ideas and the Thatcher government has frequently been over-generalized and under-specified. Existing accounts tend to characterize neoliberalism as a homogeneous, and often ill-defined, group of thinkers that exerted a broad influence over the Thatcher government. In particular, this study explores how Margaret Thatcher approached special interest groups, a core neoliberal concern. The results demonstrate a willingness to utilize the state, often in contradictory ways, to pursue apparently more market orientated policies. This book - through a combination of archival research, interviews and examination of neoliberal thought itself - defines the dominant strains of neoliberalism more clearly and explores their relationship with Thatcherism.

About this title

About the Author

Robert Ledger has a PhD in political science from Queen Mary University of London. He has worked for a think-tank in Brussels, lectured at various universities in London and currently lives and works in Frankfurt.

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2021
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0367349418
• ISBN 13: 9780367349417
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 184