The New Right

IMPORTANT: Dual nature

👉 This internal tension is key for essays

2A. Neoliberalism (Economic Individualism)

Intellectual influences

• Friedrich Hayek

• Milton Friedman

Core ideology

1. Individualism

• Individuals are rational and self-interested

• State intervention reduces freedom

2. Free market supremacy

• Markets are efficient + self-correcting

• Government interference causes inefficiency

3. Minimal state

• State should only provide:

  • Law and order

  • Defence

Key policies

Under Margaret Thatcher:

• Privatisation (e.g. utilities)

• Deregulation (financial markets)

• Tax cuts

• Anti-union laws

Modern examples

• Liz Truss mini-budget (2022):

  • Attempted radical tax cuts

  • Market backlash → shows risks

Evaluation

✔ Promotes:

• Efficiency

• Economic growth

• Choice

✖ Criticisms:

• Increases inequality

• Undermines public services

• Can cause instability (market failures)

👉 Key tension:

• Conflicts with One-Nation support for welfare

2B. Neoconservatism (Social Authoritarianism)

Core ideology

1. Authority

• Strong state needed for:

  • Law and order

  • Stability

2. Social conservatism

• Traditional values:

  • Family

  • Nation

  • Culture

3. Human imperfection

• People are flawed → need discipline

Policy positions

• Tough on crime

• Strict immigration control

• Emphasis on national identity

Modern figures

• Suella Braverman

Evaluation

✔ Appeals to:

• Older voters

• Social conservatives

✖ Criticised as:

• Authoritarian

• Intolerant

• Potentially divisive

👉 Key contradiction:

• Neoliberals want small state

• Neoconservatives want strong state