As this week's new of Sturgeon's efforts to hold a referendum in Scotland, I felt it was apt to delve into the third chapter of David Stewart's book. In the International Library of Political Studies : Path to Devolution and Change, The : A Political History of Scotland Under Margaret Thatcher, Stewart describes the struggle she faced against Scotland. Within Stewart's chapter, Slaying the Dragon: The Onslaught on the Scottish Trade Union Movement, Stewart describes the battle Thatcher dealt with Unions. As a conservative, Thatcher wanted to decrease the power of the unions and create a strong parliament that rejects the influence of large union bosses. Thatcher swooped the Kingdom's power under the 1982 Employment Act which permitted employers to release strikers without notice. Thatcher believed enabling employers rather than unions would lead to stimulus in the economy. The author described her decision as forming a conflict within the middle class. On one hand, workers felt a right to strike and defy British rule. On the other hand, Thatcher mobilized the middle class to believe in her stimulus efforts.
This exemplifies Joel Migdal's argument in Strong Societies and Weak States. Migdal argues that the most important factor in the state’s ability to survive is its ability to mobilise society. Governments acquire the tools of political influence through the mobilisation of human and material resources for state action. Thatcher wielded the Parliament as a resource to effectively mobilize a significant portion of her working class supporters to resist the massive labor unions ability to influence the government through the Labour Party. Unions contributed to 92% of the Labour Party's funding, however Thatcher's middle-class support trumped the opposition. This also highlights Migdal's point that the state's struggle for social control is characterized as the members of the state's battle to implement social control. Though the Labour Party ought to represent the working class, Thatcher's ability to mobilize the middle class undermined the opposition.
Migdal also explains how strong states rise from severe social disruption. This is also evident in the uncertain and dangerous times Thatcher reigned under. With issues like the Soviet Union's expansion, a declining middle class, and subsequently increases in unemployment, Thatcher rose in power with promises to tackle Britain's economy and defend the nation from foreign attacks. James Callaghan established the scene for Thatcher to accomplish this.
