Margaret Thatcher Dead: What Did 'Thatcherism' Mean for Britain? | The New York Times

TimesCast: The Times's Graham Bowley discusses how the former prime minister's free-market policies linger today in Britain's fiscal matters.


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Margaret Thatcher Dead: What Did 'Thatcherism' Mean for Britain?

[christopherwilson]

Hardship, loss of jobs, turned the country into a net importer. Absolute Rubbish as PM.

[HeadRedShot]

WAIT DID HE PRAISE HER THEN SAY THAT THATCHER STARTED A DEPRESSION?

[mangottwo]

She switched debt from the state to people. in 1979, private sector debt totalled 50% of the economy, in 1990 it was 100% of the economy, her economic model continued and debt accounted for 200% of the economy the day before the global financial system collapsed leading to money/bank reserve printing and negative interest rates (Worthless money).

A cavernous gap emerged between a super wealthy oligopoly, wealthy older people - due to the liberalised credit creation - but deepening debts for the young who have to pay for it. Short to medium term, it worked. The legacy is worthless money, insecure work, the end to home ownership (especially ironic given the promise of the philosophy), a new rentier landlord peasant rentier economy. A disaster

[gardinershow]

This guy's gonna say "taxes rose" under Thatcher. Has the guy done his reasearch? He certainly needs to clarify what he's saying cause income taxes and inflation went down meaning more purchasing power. However, she rose the VAT to an extent.

[kennyhfc]

Generational unemployment, Thatcher's legacy in working class Britain.

[aeonflux]

The winter of discontent was pale by comparison to the what followed. Once you had fields, then the War came and you had industries, then they elected Thatcher and you had fields again (quote: Ronnie Barker)

[swaingles]

To sum up, she wanted a Britain for rich and middle class British.

[Mellvar]

Margaret Thatcher in the early 00's was asked what she thought was her greatest achievement, her answer? New Labour. She changed the political landscape and forced the left to abandon the extremes of socialism to become electable, I didn't agree with everything she did (section 28, the poll tax) but she was a towering political figure who didn't care about feelings and popularity but thoughts and respect.

[ffrederickskitty]

I hated her at the time, but looking back, she was just what we needed. The UK was a joke. We need another Thatcher now.

[molaska]

"this idea of the free market sort of spread throughout the world." And everything since then HAS BEEN PERFECT

[josephlandrut]

Thatcherism was a credit to Margaret until she changed the way council tax was collected because she believed the way forward for all the family members to pay council tax.

[aeonflux]

Maybe you should ask the Japanese whose government subsidises include: ... Banking, industry, agriculture, labor, shipping, and shipbuilding (source dot foreignaffairs dot c o m). You see in this world there really is a need to balance reality with political ideology. The Japanese would be killed by the Koreans in many areas without their governments help within the same industries. They prefer to keep people in work than have a nation of poverty. The PM of London didnt care. Simple really.

[aeonflux]

And anyone who calls MT a kind woman shouldnt go around calling others a twat. Look in your own mirror.

[callum]

Whatever helps you sleep at night. You are free to believe whatever you want, regardless of whether it is wrong.

[littlegerman]

right - every wants no food and no money and no hope and only fear of government and the outlook of toiling under the hot sun only to die broke and alone - Its a fine fine life

[micable]

Which is ironic seeing as after 5 minutes down a coal mine you'd have pissed yourself and started shouting for your Mummy.

[jeremyjames]

She believed in the free market and supported capitalism and stood against socialism. You will always look smart when you decide to be on the right side of an argument. Thatcher was almost always on the right side of the argument.

[jimim]

Amen means so be it. I think a a begrudging resignation sums it up pretty well, yeah.

[stevebartley]

Seeing this gave me joy, she's long alas her horrific presence remains and continues to destroy this god forsaken country.

[aeonflux]

Got news for you..its still a laughing stock.