New Right

Definition

The New Right refers to a contemporary conservative political ideology that emerged in the late 20th century, primarily in the United States and United Kingdom. It represents a shift away from traditional conservatism, emphasizing free-market economics, limited government, and social traditionalism.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The New Right emerged in response to the perceived failures of traditional liberal and social democratic policies, such as high inflation, economic stagnation, and perceived moral decay.
2. Key figures associated with the New Right include Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, and Newt Gingrich, who championed policies such as tax cuts, deregulation, and welfare reform.
3. The New Right emphasizes individual responsibility, free-market capitalism, and the reduction of government intervention in the economy and social affairs.
4. The New Right is often associated with a strong defense of traditional family values, opposition to abortion and LGBTQ+ rights, and a focus on law and order.
5. The New Right's influence has been felt in various policy areas, including economic, social, and foreign policy, and has had a lasting impact on the political landscape in the US and UK.

Review Questions

• Explain the key economic principles of the New Right ideology.
  • The New Right ideology is characterized by a strong emphasis on free-market capitalism and limited government intervention in the economy. This includes policies such as tax cuts, deregulation, and the privatization of public services. The New Right believes that the free market is the most efficient way to allocate resources and that government interference in the economy stifles economic growth and innovation.
• Describe the New Right's stance on social and cultural issues.
  • The New Right is often associated with a strong defense of traditional family values and social conservatism. This includes opposition to abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, and other progressive social policies. The New Right believes in the preservation of traditional social and cultural norms, and often sees these as being under threat from liberal or progressive forces. They argue for a return to traditional moral values and a rejection of what they perceive as moral decay in society.
• Analyze the political and historical context in which the New Right emerged.
  • The New Right emerged in the late 20th century, primarily in response to the perceived failures of traditional liberal and social democratic policies. This included high inflation, economic stagnation, and a perceived moral decay in society. Key figures associated with the New Right, such as Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher, championed policies that sought to address these perceived failures, including tax cuts, deregulation, and welfare reform. The New Right's influence has been felt across various policy areas, and its impact on the political landscape in the US and UK has been significant and long-lasting.

Related terms

Neoliberalism: An economic and political ideology that promotes free-market capitalism, privatization, and reduced government intervention in the economy.

Social Conservatism: A political ideology that emphasizes the preservation of traditional social and cultural values, often in opposition to progressive or liberal social policies.

Neoconservatism: A political ideology that advocates for an assertive foreign policy, a strong military, and the promotion of American values and interests globally.