Conservatism - New Right

Question 1

What are two parts that make up New Right Conservatism?

Answer 1

There were two parts (both conflicting each other):
- economic liberalism
- social conservatism

Question 2

What is neoliberalism to conservatives?

Answer 2

• 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 public ally 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

Question 3

What do neoliberalists believe about individualism?

Answer 3

• 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 the freedom and undermines atomistic individualism because people become dependent on state welfare

Question 4

What are some examples of New Right Conservatives?

Answer 4

• 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

Question 5

Who and what are neoconservatives?

Answer 5

• 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