Conservatives and citizenship: the history of a concept in Thather (1979-1990), Major (1990-1997) and Cameron (2010-2016) governments

Author(s)

Lenon Campos Maschette

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas (FFLCH/SBD)
• Defense date: 2022-09-02

Examining board members

Francisco Carlos Palomanes Martinho; Elizabeth Balbachevsky; João Roberto Martins Filho; Francisco Carlos Teixeira da Silva

• Advisor: Francisco Carlos Palomanes Martinho

Abstract

Since the late 1980s, the topic of citizenship has enjoyed growing interest and renewed prestige. With the numerous social, cultural, political and economic changes at the end of the 20th century, the concept has become a central element in academic and political debates. Not only have intellectuals rethought the topic, but politicians have also reframed the concept in both ideational and practical terms. With the new right playing an essential role in this process and the British Conservative Party being an essential part of the implementation and proliferation of such ideas, this research aims to understand how the party, through its leaders, tried to re-signify the concept and establish new configurations for the idea. Through qualitative analysis of speeches, interviews, articles, memories and documents, both official and unofficial, the study analyzes three conservative administrations and their respective ideas and/or programs related to the theme. Firstly, the study focuses on the idea of \"active citizenship\" launched at the end of the Margaret Thatcher government (1979-1990) and tries to demonstrate how a considerable part of the elements of this idea, unlike claimed by many analysts, was present in Thatcherite thought. Since long before the end of the 1980s. With Thatcher\'s resignation and after the victory in the party\'s internal elections, her successor John Major (1990-1997), would assume power and continue to reformulate the concept of citizenship through an extensive government program called The Citizen\'s Charter. Focusing on improving public services through implementing market mechanisms and privatization, the program transformed the concept of citizenship by bringing citizens closer to consumers and prioritizing mechanisms of reparation rather than participation. If, on the one hand, the program seems to continue the Thatcherite ideas of reducing public spending and privatizing the public sector, on the other hand, the very issue of concern for these services seems to distance Major from Thatcher. Finally, we will analyze the concept of the Big Society of the David Cameron government (2110-2016). After successive defeats to New Labour, the party, then revamped by Cameron, returns to power in 2010, with a more modern and social liberal message, trying to distance itself from its Thatcherite heritage without completely abandoning its principles. Focusing on the community and the insertion of the individual in it, Cameron\'s Big Idea aimed to transform the relationship between individuals and the community around them. Research suggests, however, that perhaps Cameron\'s big idea did not break with Thatcher\'s vision but had many more similarities than differences. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/01521-8 - Conservatives and citizenship: the history of a concept in Thather (1979-1990), Major (1990-1997) and Cameron (2010-2016) governments
• Grantee: Lenon Campos Maschette
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate