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British Perspectives

British Perspectives. 24 February 2014 b y Sigrid Brevik W angsness. Margaret Thatcher: The D owning Street Years (1993). Context UK Prime Minister from 1979-1990 Three election victories for the C onservative Party First and only British female Prime Minister The Iron Lady

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British Perspectives

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  1. British Perspectives 24 February 2014 by Sigrid Brevik Wangsness

  2. Margaret Thatcher: The Downing Street Years (1993) • Context • UK Prime Minister from 1979-1990 • Three electionvictories for theConservative Party • First and only British female Prime Minister • The Iron Lady • The onlyoccupantofNumber 10 to have become an «-ism» in her life time • Forced to resign

  3. Margaret Thatcher’sMemoir: Privatization According to Margaret Thatcher: • Privatization is fundamental to improvingBritain’seconomicperformance • Public ownership is a misnomer • State-ownedbusinessescan never function as proper businesses • Privatization is a meansofreversingthe «corrosive and corrupting» effectsofsocialism

  4. Margaret Thatcher’sMemoir: Privatization • «Popularcapitalism» • Whichcompanies? • The challenges and complexityofprivatization • Privatizationwas a «revolution» whichtransformedbusinessesacrosstheworld

  5. How doesthistextexpressthe ideals ofdemocracy? • The powerofthepeopleenhanced? • Freedom? • Margaret Thatcher’s credo (from Abraham Lincoln): • Youcannotstrengthentheweak by weakeningthestrong • Youcannot bring aboutprosperity by discouragingthrift • Youcannothelpthewage-earner by pullingdownthewage-payer

  6. Tony Blair: «Third Way, PhaseTwo», 2001 • Context • UK Prime Minister from 1997-2007 • Three electionvictories for theLabour Party • This articlewaspublished in Prospect Magazinewhile Blair was still Prime Minister in Britain

  7. Whatisthe «thirdway»? • The combination ofmarketeconomy and socialjustice • New Labour vs. thenew right and theoldleft • Blair sees New Labour as a centre-left party and a revived progressive party • Blair’sviewofpublicownership? • Socialexclusionbothsociallywrong and economicallyinefficient

  8. How doesthistextexpressthe ideals ofdemocracy? • How to empowerindividuals to succeed? • Individualsneedopportunities as well as safeguardswithinthemarket • The challengeofusingnewtechnologyresponsibly • The challengeof transforming education to developthe talents ofeverychild • The need for a cultureofhighexpectations and highperformance

  9. Salman Rushdie:«The New Empire Within Britain», 1982 • Context • Main message • Points made: • 1. • 2. • 3. • 4. • 5. • Literary style • 1. • 2. • 3. • 4.

  10. Suzana S: Confessionsof a City Girl • Context • Author: Barbara Steherbatcheff • The titleofthe book • WhyThe Devil Wears Pinstripes? • Professional women in the City of London

  11. Suzana S: Confessionsof a City GirlChapter 13 • Setting • Topic • Main characters • Suzana • Alex • Ben and Katrina • Tommy

  12. Suzana S: Confessionsof a City GirlChapter 13 • An insider’sdescriptionofthe business culture in the City ofLondon just beforethefinancialcrisis hit: • Ignoringearly-warningsigns • Obsession withmarket trends • Secrecy, competitiveness, risk taking • Changeofbehaviourafter major losses? • Trading confidenceand/or greed?

  13. Suzana S: Confessionsof a City GirlChapter 13 • Insider trading? • How didthe US sub-prime mortgagecrisisaffecttheCity of London? • The relationshipbetweenthe trading floors and the back offices • DescribeSuzana’s moment oftruth • In summary:How is theworkingenvironment in the City of London portrayed in this book?

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