Thatcherism and the Church

[LoyalViews]

Is Thatcherism compatible with Church teaching? I know certain elements wouldn’t be, but what about Thatcherism as a whole?

 

[Contarini]

Is Thatcherism compatible with Church teaching? I know certain elements wouldn’t be, but what about Thatcherism as a whole?

Since a lot of the folks here are Americans, it might be helpful to lay out just what “Thatcherism” consists of. I am a British subject but I’ve lived in the U.S. since just after Thatcher became PM, so I have some idea what “Thatcherism” consists of but not a very thorough one.

My guess would be that most folks on this forum would be in favor of “Thatcherism.” I would argue that in fact it is theologically problematic on a number of points–but frankly I’m more familiar with the American equivalents.

Edwin

 

[englishredrose]

As previously stated. Thatcherism to the English is Politics and has kind of nothing to do with any Church when it comes to teachings etc. She was first female Prime Minister in the 1980’s for Great Britain. So a thread title and post of Thatcherism and the Church as you have called it… well its unanaswerable because Thatcherism is of Thatcher is of an actual politician and nowt to do with Church per se. Unless you have a denomination called Thatcherism…

otherwise a duff question in that it cannot be properly answered my friend on the whole but am sure many Catholics who think they know might try and answer you but in all fairness you be more confused than ever because there aren’t any teachings as such with regards to Church. And er be careful with many English who strongly oppose her. In some places you get kinda shouted down just for mentioning her name without the others listening to what you might be saying. It opens the flood gates for some

 

[John_of_Woking]

Personally I think Thatcherism was a disaster but I hate the way bien-pensant liberals have gone overboard in their vitriol.

 

[minkymurph]

As previously stated. Thatcherism to the English is Politics and has kind of nothing to do with any Church when it comes to teachings etc. She was first female Prime Minister in the 1980’s for Great Britain. So a thread title and post of Thatcherism and the Church as you have called it… well its unanaswerable because Thatcherism is of Thatcher is of an actual politician and nowt to do with Church per se. Unless you have a denomination called Thatcherism…

otherwise a duff question in that it cannot be properly answered my friend on the whole but am sure many Catholics who think they know might try and answer you but in all fairness you be more confused than ever because there aren’t any teachings as such with regards to Church. And er be careful with many English who strongly oppose her. In some places you get kinda shouted down just for mentioning her name without the others listening to what you might be saying. It opens the flood gates for some

I have to say I think this is a strange question. As this poster says, it doesn’t really have anything to do with any Church. In short, Thatcher’s economic policy was a free market, I don’t really see what that has to do with Catholicism, but at the same time was a social conservative. I suppose it depends on one’s point of view whether one thinks that is compatible with Catholicism or not. Where I would say Thatcher’s policies would clash with the ethos Catholicism would be in her treatment of the poor. One of her own cabinet ministers who was an out an out Tory said in an autobiography that he disagreed with on her on several issues, but this was his biggest issue with her.

 

[LoyalViews]

Clarification: Can a Catholic be a Thatcherite Conservative?
My aunt loves her a bit too much, but I don’t want to encourage her if it might affect her faith in any way.

 

[Contarini]

Clarification: Can a Catholic be a Thatcherite Conservative?
My aunt loves her a bit too much, but I don’t want to encourage her if it might affect her faith in any way.

I think you need more specifics.

It’s a bad idea for a Christian to be totally committed to any secular ideology, on general principles. But without specifics one can’t say much.

The Catholic Church has some very strong teaching about the need for society to care for the poor and vulnerable. At the same time, the Church also teaches “subsidiarity”–that local initiatives should be used where possible. In America, some Catholics justify reductions in social services on the grounds that they are good for the poor in the long run and will revitalize “civil society” and private charity. There are different versions of this view, though, some of which are more in keeping with Catholic social teaching than others in my opinion. I’m not particularly convinced by any of them, but I find some of them reasonable and others deeply irrational and immoral.

Edwin

 

[Ender]

Is Thatcherism compatible with Church teaching? I know certain elements wouldn’t be, but what about Thatcherism as a whole?

There is no reason to believe that “Thatcherism” (whatever it is) is anything other than a specific belief about how the world works and as such has nothing whatever to do with moral teaching. Thatcherism, liberalism, conservatism, etc are all morally acceptable views as they pertain to most issues; morality becomes a concern on only a small number of social questions. The Church says that we must not support permissive abortion laws but she says nothing at all about whether we must support permissive immigration laws. I would guess that pretty much all of “Thatcherism” falls in the category labeled: “The Church says nothing specific about this.”

Ender

 

[Swiss_Guy]

This may be talking about America, but I think it would be applicable to Thatcherism too:

More and more, in many countries of America, a system known as “neoliberalism” prevails; based on a purely economic conception of man, this system considers profit and the law of the market as its only parameters, to the detriment of the dignity of and the respect due to individuals and peoples. At times this system has become the ideological justification for certain attitudes and behavior in the social and political spheres leading to the neglect of the weaker members of society. Indeed, the poor are becoming ever more numerous, victims of specific policies and structures which are often unjust. (207)

Ecclesia in America 56

 

[LoyalViews]

Thanks everybody. I’m sorry for not going in depth, but I really only needed a yea or nay answer

I’ve got it, and thank you for replying.