The Conservative Party: History
Political Studies: Edexcel A Level, topic 2.2.1
Traditional/One-Nation Conservatism
For most of the 19th and 20th centuries, the Conservative Party had a traditional/one-nation conservative ideology. This was mostly the case until Thatcher's leadership.
Conservative Party beginnings
- The Conservative Party was established from the Tory Party in the 1830s.
- Throughout the twentieth century, the Conservative Party was traditionally/one-nation conservative in its ideology.
- One-nation conservatism was an evolution of traditional conservatism after the Industrial Revolution, particularly associated with Benjamin Disraeli.
Preserving the status quo
- One-nation conservatives support traditional institutions (e.g., the Church, the family and the class system) and the enduring rules of British society.
- The Conservative Party believed in pragmatically dealing with issues whilst looking to maintain the status quo and gradually improving on what already exists.
- Institutions like the Church are important, and so must be preserved to moderate society.
The role of the state
- One-nation conservatism is a paternalistic ideology.
- Supporters believe that the rich have an obligation to look after the poorest and those who can't take care of themselves.
- This type of conservatism supports a Keynesian mixed economy, where the state plays an active role in managing the economy through intervention when necessary.
- Working internationally with other countries and greater integration with Europe are also supported.
Thatcherism
Thatcherism was the ideology adopted by Margaret Thatcher, the party leader from 1975 until 1990, and the dominant ideology within the Conservative Party during this period.
Margaret Thatcher
- Margaret Thatcher was a key figure in the New Right movement.
- She became the party leader in 1975 and helped move the party to a more radical, free-market right-wing ideology.
- Thatcher was the first female leader of the Conservatives, and the first female PM in Britain.
- Thatcher was PM from 1979 to 1990, when she was challenged for the party leadership and stepped down.
Thatcherism and the New Right
- Thatcherism came as part of the New Right Movement.
- The New Right movement combined an orthodox conservative state with a neo-liberal state.
- Orthodox conservative ideas: social policy and law and order.
- Neo-liberal ideas: the free market, monetarism and less regulation.
- During the 1970s and 80s, the New Right movement was popular on the right, with scholars and think tanks writing about neoliberal ideas.
Key parts of Thatcherism
- Thatcherism argued for the importance of individual needs over society.
- Thatcherism proposed a small state where the role of the government and state intervention is reduced.
- Thatcherism supported self-reliance.
- Thatcherism endorsed business deregulation and industry privatisation.
- Thatcherism supported reduced trade union powers.
- Thatcherism placed importance on national sovereignty.
- Thatcherism supported fewer taxes and made the welfare state smaller by limiting benefits.
Thatcherism vs one-nation
- One-nation conservatism has a more pragmatic (practical) approach compared to Thatcherism’s assertive and dogmatic (uncompromising on principles) approach.
- One-nation conservatism favours small and gradual changes, but Thatcherism supports a radical approach to change.
- One-nation conservatism focuses on looking after the needs of society, while Thatcherism focuses on individual needs.
- One-nation conservatism supports a mixed economy, whilst Thatcherism supports a free-market economy.
Test yourself on The Conservative Party: History
Which is NOT an example of an important institution in one-nation conservatism
Which statements are true about one-nation conservatism?
Which party was the Conservative Party established from in the 1830s?
Which statements are true about Thatcherism?