Comparison of Thatcherism and New Labour on the Example of Their Approach to the Welfare State

Thatcherism and New Labour represent British version of the New Right and the Third Way - ideological approaches which influenced many Western countries in the last two decades of the 20th century and at the beginning of the 21st century. The similarities between Thatcherism and New Labour have been the source of considerable academic and political discussion. This study is focused on the welfare state and governmental measures and reforms in social security system. The research is designed as comparative study based on data analysis of secondary and primary sources. This thesis aims to define key similarities and differences of proposed ideologies. It suggests that the main difference between Thatcherism and New Labour is grounded in their primary understanding of the role of the welfare state system in society and related long term policies rather than in intended short term targets and reforms. Moreover, the influence of these ideas on policy making process of Thatcher and Blair governments is discussed