A Communication Perspective on Margaret Thatcher

Stateswoman of the Twentieth Century

By (author) Janet L. Fallon

Publication date:

27 September 2017

Length of book:

364 pages

Publisher

Lexington Books

Dimensions:

239x156mm
6x9"

ISBN-13: 9781498547383

A Communication Perspective on Margaret Thatcher: Stateswoman of the Twentieth Century represents broad analysis of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s communicative appeals, rhetorical efforts, and campaign and media strategies—viewed within an historical context—as symbolic acts intended to induce and enact political, social, and economic change in the United Kingdom during the latter quarter of the twentieth century. Janet Fallon focuses on the aggregate of Thatcher’s life experiences including family background, education, years in the House of Commons, and other key biographical and historical influences that informed her world of ideas and her articulation of words, and marked her ascent both to premiership as Britain’s first Madam Prime Minister in 1979 and further to her international status as a stateswoman. Margaret Thatcher’s voice from the mid-1970s into the early 1990s and even beyond was the primary voice communicating a vision of a new reality and a new order for Britain.

Contents

List of Abbreviations
Preface
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1. Margaret Hilda Roberts Thatcher: From Grantham to London
Chapter 2. Margaret Thatcher: Member of Parliament: 1959-1975
Chapter 3. Party Leader in Opposition 1975-1979
Chapter 4. General Election of 1979: Tory Campaign
Chapter 5. Feminine Factor: Gender Politics, Handbagging, Women’s Movement,
Rhetorical Advocacy, Role Models
Chapter 6. Mrs. Thatcher’s Special Relationship with the United States: President Ford and President Carter
Chapter 7. Mrs. Thatcher’s First Government: 1979-1981
Chapter 8. Mrs. Thatcher’s First Government: Falklands War 1982
Chapter 9. General Election of 1983
Chapter 10. Mrs. Thatcher’s Special Relationship with President Ronald Reagan
Chapter 11. Mrs. Thatcher and the Soviet General Secretaries: Brezhnev, Andropov, Chernenko, Gorbachev
Chapter 12. Second Thatcher Government: Highlights 1983-1987
Chapter 13. General Election of 1987
Chapter 14. Mrs. Thatcher’s Special Relationship with President Bush
Chapter 15. Third Thatcher Government: Controversies Quicken 1987-1990
Chapter 16. Prime Minister Thatcher’s Resignation, November 1990
Epilogue. Margaret, the Right Honourable Baroness of Kesteven
Bibliography
About the Author

In her latest work, Janet Fallon—the 'Iron Lady' of communication studies—contends that Margaret Thatcher achieved greatness in statecraft by communicating a bold vision for reform and advancing that vision with integrity against all obstacles. Professor Fallon demonstrates compellingly how Thatcher—like Winston Churchill before her—mobilized the English language and sent it into battle, transforming Britain and the world through the power of well-articulated principles.