“There is no such thing as society: there are individual men and women, and there are families.”
- October 13, 1925 – April 8, 2013
- British
- Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Politician, “The Iron Lady”
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Quote
“There is no such thing as society: there are individual men and women, and there are families.”
Explanation
This quote is one of Margaret Thatcher’s most controversial and frequently misunderstood statements. She is not denying the existence of social structures but rather emphasizing the primacy of individual responsibility and familial bonds over the abstract concept of “society” as a collective entity that exists apart from individuals. In her view, real change and support come not from a vague notion of society, but from the actions of individuals and families who take responsibility for themselves and each other.
Thatcher made this remark during a 1987 interview to reinforce her belief in self-reliance, personal accountability, and the limits of government intervention. She saw growing dependency on the welfare state as harmful, believing it discouraged initiative and eroded moral responsibility. By challenging the idea of “society” as a provider or caretaker, she was arguing that solutions to social problems must begin with the choices and values of individuals and families, not with state institutions or collective abstractions.
Today, the quote continues to provoke debate, especially in discussions around welfare policy, civic duty, and the role of government. Critics see it as an attack on social solidarity, while supporters view it as a call to empowerment and individual dignity. Either way, it sharply captures Thatcher’s core philosophy: that meaningful support and improvement come not from external systems alone, but from individual effort and strong family foundations.
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