Thatcherism

A collection of essays drawn from across the political spectrum including both critics and admirers of Thatcherism. Despite the fact that Mrs Thatcher has dominated British politics for 8 years the nature, significance and staying power of Thatcherism is still hotly disputed. Her rejection of the consensus politics of the post-war period is not in doubt, yet she also embodies a much wider movement of ideas, by no means confined to Britain and characterized by a belief in the market economy, mistrust of the State and a hatred of collectivism. The essays not only shed light on a political phenomenon, but try to answer some of the most urgent questions of our time such as "Is Thatcherism a new or false dawn?" "Is it an idea whose time has come?" "If so, why is this the case - and how long will its time be?" The contributors include - Patrick Minford, Anthony King, Kenneth Minogue, David Marquand, Ivor Crewe, Frank Hahn, Ben Pimlott, Brian Barry, David Butler, A.H.Halsey and Ralf Dahrendorf.