Thatcherism mobilized ‘nation’ against ‘class’ to legitimate an attack on organized labor itself.

Evidence

“Thatcherism,” deploying the discourses of “nation” and “people” against “class” and “unions” with far greater vigor and populist appeal, has homed in on the same objective contradiction. Within this space is being constructed an assault, not on this or that piece of “irresponsible bargaining” by a particular union, but on the very foundation of organized labor. Considerable numbers of people—including many trade unionists—find themselves reflected and set in place through this interpellation of “nation” and “people” at the center of this mounting attack on the defensive organizations of the working class. — Hall, Stuart, Essential Essays, Volume 1, 1107

Categorization

• DEFINE: ‘Interpellation’ here names the Althusserian mechanism by which people are hailed into an identity — trade unionists come to see themselves through ‘nation’ against their own class organizations.