What is paternism?

Answer 1

Paternalism is where the state oversees the provision of services in a way that is not empowering to people to act for themselves. For example after World War II, British people relied on the state to such an extent that by the 1970's there was a strain on the economy. The New Right tried to bring about less dependence on the state and more individual independence. This is being continued by Labour today in an attempt to save money and produce a populace less dependent on the welfare system. Thatcherism tried to encourage people to move away from paternalism toward more personal responsibility.