British Politics in an Age of Reform

by Turner, Michael J.

• ISBN13: 9780719051869
• ISBN10: 071905186X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-08-19
• Publisher: MANCHESTER UNIVERSITY PRESS

Summary

British Politics in an Age of Reformis a detailed examination of the political history of late-eighteenth and early-nineteenth century Britain. It evaluates recent research, links the politics of the elite with the politics of the people, and seeks to explain significant developments. Among the issues addressed are: the relative powers of crown, cabinet and parliament between 1760 and 1832; the impact on domestic politics of revolution and war abroad; the growth of radicalism and popular political activity; agitation for reform and the responses of government; the rise of party; the connections between extra-parliamentary pressure and instability at the center of power.

Author Biography

Michael Turner is Lecturer in Modern History at the University of Reading.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	vii
Abbreviations	viii
Note on party names and ministerial changes	ix
Party names
Governments 1760--1832
Introduction	1	(10)
Crown and politicians	11	(45)
Introduction
Seeds of controversy in high politics
The expansion of political participation
A fusion of high and low politics
The crises of 1782 to 1784
Pittite government
Political change and the `influence of the crown'
Conclusion
Revolution and war	56	(50)
Introduction
Price, Burke, Paine and the ideological ferment of the 1790s High politics
The continuing evolution of British radicalism
Conservatism and loyalism
Conclusion
Parliament and people	106	(47)
Introduction
Postwar economic and political problems
Radical mobilisation and the mass platform
The Liverpool administration after the war
The parliamentary opposition
`Liberal' Toryism and unresolved problems
Conclusion
Instability and reform	153	(49)
Introduction
Canning, Goderich and political flux
The Wellington government
Radical revival
The Whigs, the people and parliamentary reform
The Great Reform Act
Conclusion
Conclusion	202	(6)
Selected documents	208	(9)
Bibliographical essay	217	(9)
Index	226