The end of the line for social security: the Thatcherite restructuring of welfare

Abstract

At the end of a decade in which major changeshave been made troughout all aspects of social and economic policy, it is now becoming increasingly clear that the underlying aim of Thatcherism hasbeen to challenge the social democratic or liberal democratic notion of the interventions. welfare state, and to replace the welfare state with the opportunity state. Althugh this has not been ensively consistent strategy, nor one free from contradictions and setbacks, it has nevertheless involved clear shifts in welfare policy. This has led to the introduction of major changes in social seucrity proivions and more importunity in the political and ideo logical rationale which underpins this.