Thatcher for Beginners

Is there such a thing as Thatcherism? If so, what is its legacy to politics and society today? When Mrs Thatcher left office after eleven years in power, the face of Britain had altered fundamentally, and the changes ushered in during her reign are still very much in evidence. Her influence now extends not only across the British political spectrum, but also to the liberated countries of Eastern Europe, which have zealously embraced privatisation and other Thatcherite principles.

Was Thatcher good for Britain? She inherited a dispirited, union-bullied, inefficient, subsidised, benefit-demanding, class-ridden society. And yet, by the end of her time in power she was able to claim that "There is no such thing as society". Did she really mean it, and was she good for Britain? This book will tell you. Peter Pugh also analyses the state of Britain that brought Thatcher to power, assesses her influence, and asks what, if anything, was the philosophy behind the policies of this extraordinary figure of 20th century politics. The book is wittily illustrated by Carl Flint.