new right
C1/C2Academic/Political/Journalistic
Definition
Meaning
A conservative political movement, particularly prominent from the 1970s onwards, advocating for free-market economics, limited government, traditional social values, and a strong national defense.
A term used to describe a broad coalition of political groups and ideologies that reject the post-war consensus on welfare and state intervention, often emphasizing neoliberalism, libertarian economics, and cultural conservatism. It is contrasted with the 'old right' of traditional conservatism.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily functions as a compound noun. While 'right' refers to the political spectrum, 'new' distinguishes it from earlier conservative movements. Often capitalised (New Right) when referring to specific historical movements or groups.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, the term is strongly associated with the Thatcherite wing of the Conservative Party in the 1980s. In the US, it is more broadly associated with the rise of Reaganism, the religious right, and neoconservatism.
Connotations
Both carry strong ideological connotations. In the UK, it may connote privatisation and union reform. In the US, it may carry stronger connotations of social conservatism and evangelical influence.
Frequency
Most frequent in political science, history, and media analysis. More common in written analysis than everyday speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The New Right + verb (emerged, advocated, rejected)Adjective + New Right (American, British, economic)New Right + noun (thinkers, policies, agenda)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No specific idioms. The term itself is a fixed political label.]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in discussions of deregulation and privatisation policies championed by the New Right.
Academic
Common in political science, modern history, and sociology texts analysing late 20th-century politics.
Everyday
Uncommon. Used mainly by those discussing politics or recent history.
Technical
A defined term in political theory and historiography.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The party began to new-right its economic policies in the late 1970s. (rare, possible verbification)
American English
- The administration was accused of new-righting the social security system. (rare, possible verbification)
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverbial form]
American English
- [No standard adverbial form]
adjective
British English
- He was a key New-Right thinker influencing government policy.
American English
- The magazine promoted a New-Right agenda on taxes and regulation.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This word is too complex for A2 level.
- The New Right wanted less government in the economy.
- Margaret Thatcher was a leader of the New Right.
- The rise of the New Right in the 1980s changed economic policy in many countries.
- New Right ideology emphasised free markets and individual responsibility over state welfare.
- Scholars debate whether the New Right's synthesis of free-market economics and social conservatism was inherently unstable.
- The intellectual foundations of the New Right were laid by thinkers like Milton Friedman and Friedrich Hayek.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'NEW policies from the political RIGHT': New markets, New individualism, Right-wing values.
Conceptual Metaphor
POLITICAL MOVEMENTS ARE TIDES/WAVES (e.g., 'the rise of the New Right').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as 'новый правый'. It is a political term, not a description of a person. Use транслитерация 'Нью-Райт' or a descriptive phrase like 'новые правые' (as a movement).
- Avoid confusion with 'правое дело' which is a specific party name.
- It does not mean 'новое право' as in a new law.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'new right' to describe a recently acquired legal entitlement (e.g., 'I have a new right to park here').
- Confusing it with 'far right' or 'alt-right', which are distinct, often more extreme movements.
- Not capitalising it when it functions as a proper noun for the specific historical movement.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'New Right' most accurately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While both are right-wing, the 'New Right' typically refers to a specific mainstream movement from the 1970s-90s focused on economics and governance. The 'far right' usually denotes more extreme, often nationalist or fringe groups.
The 'Old Right' often refers to pre-1970s conservatism, which could be more paternalistic, protectionist, or focused on maintaining established social order. The 'New Right' is more ideologically committed to radical free-market economics (neoliberalism) and rolling back the welfare state.
Yes, in political writing it can function attributively (e.g., 'New Right policies', 'New Right intellectuals'). It is less common as a predicate adjective.
Yes, in historical and political analysis to describe that era and its lasting influence. Many of its core ideas remain central to contemporary conservative and libertarian politics, though the label itself is used less for current movements.