5.2.3

New Right Conservatism

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New Right Conservatism

New Right conservatism had two different parts, which often conflicted - economic liberalism and social conservatism.

Illustrative background for NeoliberalismIllustrative background for Neoliberalism ?? "content

Neoliberalism

  • Neoliberalism is associated with a free-market economy and less government intervention in the economy.
  • In the 1980s Thatcher deregulated the stock market (known as the ‘big bang’) and privatised the industries that were nationalised after the second world war.
    • Privatisation is when publically owned companies and goods are sold, so private individuals and companies own and control them.
    • Thatcher privatised coal and steel companies.
  • Privatisation is supposed to make companies more efficient and competitive.
Illustrative background for Neoliberalism: individualismIllustrative background for Neoliberalism: individualism ?? "content

Neoliberalism: individualism

  • Neoliberalism believes that individuals are rational and self-interested, which is termed atomistic individualism.
  • Neoliberals believe that freedom can only be preserved through less government intervention.
    • For neoliberals, the free market is a guarantee of individual freedom.
    • The welfare state limits freedom and undermines atomistic individualism because people become dependent on state welfare.
Illustrative background for New Right conservative examples Illustrative background for New Right conservative examples  ?? "content

New Right conservative examples

  • New Right conservatism became important in the 1970s and 1980s in the UK.
  • Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan (US President between 1981 and 1989) are examples of New Right conservatives.
Illustrative background for NeoconservatismIllustrative background for Neoconservatism ?? "content

Neoconservatism

  • Neoconservatives are social conservatives who believe that changes in society have led to a break down of hierarchy and law and order in society.
    • They disagree with permissiveness and changes in public morality, such as social changes like acceptance of homosexuality, divorce and abortion.
  • Neoconservatives wish for a return to law and order and are tough on crime - for example by giving police greater powers of stop and search.

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1Democracy & Participation

2Political Parties

3Electoral Systems

4Voting Behaviour & the Media

5Conservatism

6Liberalism

7Socialism

8The UK Constitution

9The UK Parliament

10The Prime Minister & the Executive

11Relationships Between Government Branches

12US Constitution & Federalism

13US Congress

14US Presidency

15US Supreme Court & Civil Rights

16US Democracy & Participation

17Comparing Democracies

18Feminism

19Nationalism

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