Monday marks the centenary of Margaret Thatcher’s birth – an occasion that brings together leaders and supporters from across the Atlantic to pay tribute to her life.
We at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute are honored to participate in the celebration, an occasion that also invites us to reflect on her legacy and connection to Ronald Reagan in the context of our modern times. Indeed, what made her partnership with President Reagan so effective, and what could it teach us today about how civility can influence world affairs?
The effectiveness of Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher – both in dealing with each other and with other world leaders with whom they were less naturally aligned – depended on trust and civility. In today’s divided political world, their example is one we can all learn from.
British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher photographed in London in 1980. (AP Photo/Gerald Penny, File)
When we think of the two leaders, we tend to imagine strength: two leaders who stood firm against communism, defended the free market, and restored trust in the West. But President Reagan also believed that personal relationships were central to politics. In a 1989 letter in National Review, he crystallized that sentiment as follows: ‘personal relationships are more important in international politics than historians would have us believe.’
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That was the core of his approach: even the most difficult negotiations work best when leaders see each other as partners, not just as adversaries. It doesn’t mean that personal relationships take precedence over the national interest – great leaders must sometimes be firm – but it does mean that an important part of good diplomacy is the ability to remain civil and recognize the humanity of others, whether adversaries or allies.
President Ronald Reagan and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher at the Palace of Versailles, France, on June 6, 1982. (AP photo/file)
The leadership of Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan in relations with the Soviet Union demonstrates this principle in action. For example, when Mikhail Gorbachev emerged on the world stage, Thatcher chose to approach him as a person worth negotiating with, rather than as a caricature of Soviet power. “We can do business together,” she asserted pragmatically. And she was right. Although their views on their country were completely different, basing Soviet negotiations on respect and practical judgment made diplomacy possible.
Importantly, President Reagan and Prime Minister Thatcher never abandoned the principle of civility. They were strong leaders, steadfast and uncompromising in their beliefs. But civility gave them the power to accomplish what force or rhetoric alone could not.
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Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher delivers remarks after visiting President Ronald Reagan at the White House on July 17, 1987. (AP Photo/DPA, Howard L. Sachs, file)
The INF Treaty, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the eventual end of the Cold War all depended on this kind of disciplined, strategic civility. Leaders could disagree sharply and even spar aggressively, but they never allowed those disagreements to destroy trust or hinder progress.
Civility is not a moral highway, it is a tool. It allowed these leaders to be frank with each other, confident that they would be received with understanding – and created a strong foundation that underpinned the US-Britain alliance. Then, as now, civility creates space for honest conversations. It ensures that important initiatives can move forward without unnecessary friction.
British Conservative Party leader Margaret Thatcher listens to a reporter’s question during a press conference at the British Embassy in Washington on September 14, 1977. (AP photo/file)
Today that lesson is urgent. The United States and our democratic allies face pressure from rising authoritarian powers, global instability, and domestic polarization. The instinct to respond with anger or distrust is strong. But history shows that lasting security and progress come from discipline, mutual respect, and the ability to maintain civility even under pressure.
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And in times of global tension, strengthening alliances is more important than ever. We saw this illustrated by President Donald Trump during his recent meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, where he declared: “We have a relationship like no other… we will always be united.” His statement epitomizes the Reagan-Thatcher alliance at its best. This spirit is a precursor to constructive discussions on promoting security and stability, especially when it comes to complex issues such as these.
President Ronald Reagan greets British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher as she arrives at Camp David by helicopter. (Getty Images)
President Reagan and Prime Minister Thatcher remind us that civility is not deference; rather, it is a practical strategy for getting things done. As we commemorate Margaret Thatcher on her centenary, we should also remember the example she set. Civility allowed both leaders to be effective and ultimately shape history. In a world full of uncertainty and division, their legacy remains as vital today as it was then.
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