Download New Right and Stratification

THATCHERISM
New Right approaches to sociology became popular in the 1980’s and are closely
linked to the politics of Thatcher and Reagan
AKA market liberalism/neo-liberalism
Main sociologists of the New Right – Peter Saunders, David Marsland and Charles
Murray
NEO LIBERALISM
Belief in free markets
Small state
Low tax
Equality of opportunity
Meritocracy
Individual responsibility
All based on the 18th/19th century ‘laissez faire’ liberalism of Adam Smith and WE
Gladstone
If markets are allowed to be free the ‘hidden hand’ of the market will look after
everyone
SAUNDERS AND STRATIFICATION
All societies NEED stratification
Societies were there are unequal rewards work best
Egalitarian societies inevitably become repressive whereas in egalitarian societies
become freer
If everyone was treated equally force would need to be used to get people to
undertake difficult or unpleasant jobs
“In the absence of economic rewards and penalties the only sanctions available
would be those involving threat of physical force”
3 TYPES OF EQUALITY
Saunders identifies 3 types of equality:
1.
Formal or Legal equality – everyone has the same standing under the law and
the same legal rights
2.
Equality of Opportunity – everyone has an equal chance to become unequal –
they start the race of life from the same start line and the best get ahead
3.
Equality of Outcome – everyone gets treated the same regardless of ability or
effort
Saunders supports 1&2 but rejects 3
INEGALITARIANISM
Saunders and the New Right believe in inequality because they argue it promotes
economic growth, self fulfilment and individual responsibility
Meritocracy works – individual selfishness leads to benefits for everyone
CHARLES MURRAY
New Right thinkers also criticise as harmful social policies designed to create greater
equality
Murray argues that over generous benefit systems create a dependent underclass
who in turn develop a deviant and harmful culture of dependence, laziness,
immorality and criminality