New Labour and Thatcherism: Political Change in Britain

by R. Heffernan

Overview

An understanding of New Labor must take into account the profound influence exerted on contemporary British politics by the politics of Thatcherism. In presenting a framework for understanding political and party change this book explains why the socio-economic program of the Blair government is structured within a neo-liberal paradigm, and explores how in rejecting its collectivist, Old Labor past, New Labor has moved dramatically away from its social democratic traditions.

Author Biography: Richard Heffernan is Lecturer in Government and Politics at the Open University, UK.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780333738979
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan UK
Publication date:	04/19/2000
Series:	Political Change in Britain
Edition description:	2001
Pages:	249
Product dimensions:	5.51(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

RICHARD HEFFERNAN is Lecturer in Government and Politics at The Open University in the UK, and has previously taught at the University of California, Los Angeles. He is co-author of Defeat from the Jaws of Victory: Inside Kinnock's Labour Party (1992) and co-editor of The Labour Party: a Centenary History (2000).

Table of Contents

Preface to the Paperback Edition Preface and Acknowledgements Exploring Political Change Beyond the Thatcher Decade: The Politics of 'New' Labour The Politics of Thatcherism Explaining Thatcherism: Project and Process Modernisation: The Transformation of the Labour Party How and Why Parties Change: Identifying Environmental Contexts Party Competition Driven Party Change: The 'Politics of Catch-Up' A Theory of Consensus Politics Thatcherism and the Reinvention of Labour Notes Bibliography Index

Editorial Reviews

This book is certain to become a major reference point in the debate on the nature and significance of New Labour.

Andrew Gamble

This is a paperbound reprint of a 2000 book in which Hefferman (government and politics, The Open U., UK) argues that any critical analysis of New Labor must take into account the profound influence exerted on contemporary British politics by the politics of Thatcherism. He explains why the socio-economic program of the Blair government is structured within a neo-liberal paradigm and explores how, in rejecting its collectivist, Old Labor past, New Labor has moved dramatically away from its social-democratic traditions. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

This book is certain to become a major reference point in the debate on the nature and significance of New Labour.” —Andrew Gamble, University of Sheffield

“Richard Heffernan's book offers a comprehensive account of how a new centre-right consensus has become consolidated in contemporary British politics and about how this consensus has come to embrace New Labour. This is a valuable analysis of how political realignment can occur within a continuing party system.” —Peter Mair, University of Leiden

From the Publisher