Historically, the UK tended to conservatism and among western countries the UK used to be probably one of the most conservative ones. However, the situation has started to change as a profound economic crisis came in the early 1980s, provoking a profound economic recession. In response to the rapid deterioration of economic and social development of the UK, the Government, headed by Margaret Thatcher started policies which laid the foundation to the modern leadership style of the UK and which was absolutely different from traditional British conservatism. In this respect, it is possible to speak about the transition of the UK from liberalism to neo-liberalism, which became the dominant trend in British leadership, although some elements of conservatism have been preserved, but they are rather ostentatious than truly significant to British policy-makers.
First of all, it is worth mentioning the fact that the UK used to be a highly conservative state. The Government tended to regulate the economic development of the country, while many companies and entire branches of national economy were nationalized and owned by the state. The state conducted socially-oriented policy to protect citizens from possible oppression of their interests from the part of private companies. However, the conservative leadership could not last forever in the UK.


In the rapidly changing world, the UK leaders had to adopt new methods and leadership styles. In this respect, the epoch of Margaret Thatcher became a turning point in the UK political and economic life, which marked the shift from conservatism to neo-liberalism. At this point, it is worth mentioning the fact that some specialists (Armesto, 2008) argue that policies conducted by Margaret Thatcher were a kind of radical liberalism, but gradually it became obvious that this radical liberalism was a new form of liberalism – neo-liberalism.
It is necessary to underline that liberalism holds liberty as a primary political value that should define international policy, as well as domestic one. In broader terms, liberalism seeks “a society characterised by freedom of thought for individuals, limitations on power, especially of government and religion, the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a market economy, that supports private enterprise, and a transparent system of government in which the rights of minorities are guaranteed” (Charleston 1999, p.310). Being applied to international relations, these basic principles of liberalism underlines the necessity of the existence of plurality of state actions in the international arena. In other words, states should be able to make free choices according to their preferences, which are the primary determinant of state behaviour. Naturally, the preferences would vary depending on a state because each state has its own particular culture, traditions, set of moral values, as well as economic and natural conditions, political system, etc.
Furthermore, it is also extremely important to emphasise that liberalism stands on the ground that “interaction between states is not limited to the political (high politics), but also economic (low politics) whether through commercial firms, organizations or individuals” (Powell 1994, p.322). In such a way liberalism attempts to overcome a kind of anarchy that could be developed in the result of difference in political preferences of all states which differ dramatically. Instead, liberalism attempts to increase the role of cultural capital which, according to liberalism theories, should create “opportunities for cooperation and broader notions of power” (Nincic 1999, p.29). One of the examples of such cultural cooperation may be found in the sphere of cinematography and media where American films are so widely spread and popular that they contribute to the growth of popularity of American culture worldwide and it stimulates the creation of markets for American goods. In addition, it should be said that liberalism suggests quite an idea, which seems to be a kind of utopia, that peace in the world can be achieved by cooperation and independence of states.
On analyzing policies conducted in the UK since 1980s, it is obvious that they are rather neo-liberal than liberal. To put it more precisely, the Government has launched the policy oriented on the development of free markets and entrepreneurship, while the interference of the state in the regulation of the national economy was minimal. In addition, the UK has focused on the implementation of central principles of neo-liberalism which are the orientation on free markets and free trade. In fact, within the last two-three decades the liberalization of the national economy, privatization of a lion share of formerly state-owned companies and branches of industry led to an unparalleled liberalization of the market.
Moreover, in the late 1980s-1990s, the UK leaders have launched the policy of active integration of the country in the global economy and, what is more, the UK has eventually become an integral part of the EU, which marked the total reject of traditional, conservative policies of British leaders. As a result, the UK grows more and more integrated into international economy and politics. However, there remain some elements of conservatism, though they are too weak to become mainstream in the national politics. For instance, the UK traditionally implemented restrictions on the access of foreign labour force to the country, but, today, in the time of a profound crisis, it is obvious that the state policies concerning restrictions of foreign labour force are not as strict as they used to be since foreign employees from other countries of the EU are employed in the UK, even though local employees remain unemployed.
Furthermore, the national currency being preserved has proved to be unstable and currently many specialists (Morgenthau, 2006) discuss the possibility of transition of the UK to euro, the currency of the EU, which will mark the end of the transition of the UK from conservatism to neo-liberalism. Finally, even though the state attempts to support its economy and banking system by means of financial aid, but such practices are rather exceptional for British leaders, at least within the last twenty years, that prove their inclination to neo-liberalism.
Thus, taking into account all above mentioned, it is possible to conclude that the UK tends to the implementation of neo-liberal principles which have replaced conservative principles. The latter used to be dominant in the UK for a considerable period of time, but since the 1980s the UK has started to implement neo-liberal principles of free market and free trade, which still are mainstream in the national politics.

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