Conservative Economic Policymaking And The Birth Of Thatcherism, 1964-1979 (palgrave Studies In The History Of Finance)

In this book, Adrian Williamson investigates the processes by which Thatcherism became established in Tory thinking, and questions to what extent the politician herself is responsible for Thatcherism within the Conservative Party. The recent death of Margaret Thatcher, in the context of the Global Financial Crisis, has led many to re-evaluate 'Thatcherism' and its role in British economic policy-making. While much rhetoric and propaganda surrounds the topic, there is little scholarly work on Thatcherism or on the profound change in British economic policy that subsequently occurred after 1979. This book addresses two key areas. Firstly, it examines the debates that took place within the Conservative Party between 1964 and 1979, and the core policies that were adopted in this time, and that predated, but remained a part of, Thatcherism. Adrian Williamson then goes on to investigate the processes by which Thatcherism became established in Tory thinking, and questions to what extent the politician herself was responsible for Thatcherism within the Conservative Party. In Conservative Economic Policymaking and the Birth of Thatcherism, 1964-1979, the evolution of Conservative core policy is considered in detail, including tax, trade union reform and European competition. Additionally, the author examines how the economic crisis of the 1970s influenced Conservative policy in public spending, anti-inflation measures and industrial strategy. It will be of interest to economic and political historians of Modern Britain and post-war politics, and a core source of reference to undergraduate and post-graduate students alike The recent death of Margaret Thatcher, in the context of the Global Financial Crisis, has led many to re-evaluate 'Thatcherism' and its role in British economic policy-making. While much rhetoric and propaganda surrounds the topic, there is little scholarly work on Thatcherism or on the profound change in British economic policy that subsequently occurred after 1979. This book addresses two key areas. Firstly, it examines the debates that took place within the Conservative Party between 1964 and 1979, and the core policies that were adopted in this time, and that predated, but remained a part of, Thatcherism. Adrian Williamson then goes on to investigate the processes by which Thatcherism became established in Tory thinking, and questions to what extent the politician herself was responsible for Thatcherism within the Conservative Party. In Conservative Economic Policymaking and the Birth of Thatcherism, 196461979, the evolution of Conservative core policy is considered in detail, including tax, trade union reform and European competition. Additionally, the author examines how the economic crisis of the 1970s influenced Conservative policy in public spending, anti-inflation measures and industrial strategy. It will be of interest to economic and political historians of Modern Britain and post-war politics, and a core source of reference to undergraduate and post-graduate students alike Front Matter....Pages i-xvii Introduction....Pages 1-25 Policymaking: Structures, Ideas and Influences....Pages 26-57 Tax and Spend: Towards a Smaller State?....Pages 58-88 From Prices and Incomes Policy to Sado-Monetarism?....Pages 89-125 Conservative Industrial Policy: The End of the Mixed Economy?....Pages 126-159 Trade Unions: The Discipline of Law?....Pages 160-190 Britain’s Role in the World Economy....Pages 191-221 Conclusion....Pages 222-240 Back Matter....Pages 241-378 At the start of the eighteenth century Louis XIV needed to remit huge sums of money abroad to support his armies during the War of the Spanish Succession. This book explains how international bankers moved French money across Europe, and how the foreign exchange system was so overloaded by the demands of war that a massive banking crash resulted. Understanding the American stock market boom and bust of the 1920s is vital for formulating policies to combat the potentially deleterious effects of busts on the economy. Using new data, Kabiri explains what led to the 1920s stock market boom and 1929 crash and looks at whether 1929 was a bubble or not and whether it could have been anticipated In all four cases, introducing international financial control over the finances of the debtor states became the prevalent form of dealing with defaults.