Define and assess the successes and failures of Thatcherism.
In 1975 the "Iron lady" came to head the Conservative Party following which it took no longer than 4 years for her to become the first female prime minister of England. She approached her position from a refreshingly new angle, which itself differed greatly from those of previous leaders. This paper looks at how thatcherism, the name commonly associated with the ideology of that time, succeeded yet eventually fell short. Through analysis of Lady Thatcher's ascent to power, her eleven-year reign and subsequent expedient demise, this paper will conclude the highs and lows with the constant aim of contrasting them to the government's initial objectives. .
A problem immediately arises through the definition of this "ism". It is essential to realise what this paper refers to as "thatcherism" as from this, one can ascertain its intentions, and, ultimately, judge whether it had succeeded in achieving them. Was it solely a name given to the Thatcher government? "After three years at Essex University I"m fed up with people trying to define and explain Thatcherism. It's only the Conservative Party led by Mrs Thatcher. (Essex graduate, 1988)" Did it only relate to the period and the thoughts of Margaret Thatcher during her years of power? "Thatcherism is essentially an instinct, a sense of moral values and an approach to leadership rather than an ideology. (Riddell 1983)" Or was it assigned to denote the characteristics of a new yet seemingly successful ideology? "Thatcherism is a novel and exceptional political force- (Hall and Jacques 1983) This essay understands it as all three. Obviously it derives from Margaret Thatcher by name and was clearly the dominant if only "ism" in England throughout the eighties. Mainly, as with all ideologies, it was built on its main traits and extensive actions affecting all spheres of British politics.