Social Policy: Unrest

Question 1

What do critics argue Thatcher caused in terms of a fundamental jaring to British society ?

Answer 1

• Occupation and wealth shifted from the traditional mining and industry towards finance and consumer goods
• critics argue that Thatchers changes meant that workers enjoyed fewer rights with employers more concerned with profit than welfare
• poverty more apparent and it caused the creation of ‘cardboard cities’

Question 2

How did cities change ?

Answer 2

London and the south east became visibly prosperous whilst urban centres of manufacturing were neglected and run down

Question 3

What are the three examples of social unrest under Thatcher ?

Answer 3

• Riots in Brixton, Liverpool and half a dozen other urban centres in the summer of 1981
• Miners strike of 1984-85 saw outbreaks of violence and battles between strikers and police
• in 1989 considerable unrest as a result of the Poll Tax

Question 4

what surprising about the unrest seen under Thatcher ?

Answer 4

The levels were fairly low
- The Falklands war distracted people and opposition towards domestic policies
- Violence of miners worried many moderates
- Government made sure unrest did not spread Example miners strikes police well trained and paid
- riots in 1981 couldn’t align with political criticism
- all these meant that discontent was SEPARATED AND DIVIDED