The New Right

The New Right is a conservative political and sociological perspective that became influential in the 1980s, particularly in the United States under President Reagan and in the United Kingdom under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. While not a sociological theory in the same sense as functionalism or Marxism, the New Right has had a significant impact on social policy and on sociological debates about the family, welfare, education, and inequality. For AQA A-Level Sociology, understanding the New Right is essential for evaluating perspectives on social institutions and social problems.

Key Definition: The New Right is a conservative perspective that combines a commitment to free-market economics with traditional moral values. It argues that excessive state intervention undermines individual responsibility, weakens the family, and creates a culture of welfare dependency.

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Intellectual Roots

The New Right draws on two main intellectual traditions:

1. Neo-liberalism — an economic philosophy that advocates free markets, minimal government regulation, privatisation, and individual enterprise. Neo-liberals argue that the state should not interfere in the economy or provide extensive welfare services, as this stifles competition and creates inefficiency.