State and Society: A Social and Political History of Britain since 1870

by Martin Pugh

A vigorous interpretation of political and social developments in Britain since the late-Victorian era, "State and Society" is one of the most respected and widely read introductions to modern British history. In it, Pugh explores, as his central theme, the relationship between the British state and its citizens.
In this new edition, the text is extended to cover Tony Blair, from his election in 1997 to his departure a decade later. Pugh examines Blair's legacy, looking at issues such as electoral reform, the idea of a British presidency, environmentalism, the Iraq War, civil liberties and national identity. Chapters have been fully revised to reflect recent developments in historical thinking and restructured to highlight key themes.
Additional material includes increased coverage of the role of female campaigners before the suffragettes, popular attitudes to the welfare state, a re-evaluation of the General Strike of 1926, the importance of the British monarchy, the 1936 Abdication crisis, the build-up to the post-1945 Labor electoral success, the rising standard of living, the growth in holiday travel and car ownership and a new chapter charting the rise and fall of Margaret Thatcher and a detailed analysis of her legacy. This new, thoroughly updated edition is essential reading for all students of British history. Martin Pugh is a professor at University of Newcastle upon Tyne. A vigorous interpretation of political and social developments in Britain since the late-Victorian era, "State and Society" is one of the most respected and widely read introductions to modern British history. In it, Pugh explores, as his central theme, the relationship between the British state and its citizens.
In this new edition, the text is extended to cover Tony Blair, from his election in 1997 to his departure a decade later. Pugh examines Blair's legacy, looking at issues such as electoral reform, the idea of a British presidency, environmentalism, the Iraq War, civil liberties and national identity. Chapters have been fully revised to reflect recent developments in historical thinking and restructured to highlight key themes.
Additional material includes increased coverage of the role of female campaigners before the suffragettes, popular attitudes to the welfare state, a re-evaluation of the General Strike of 1926, the importance of the British monarchy, the 1936 Abdication crisis, the build-up to the post-1945 Labor electoral success, the rising standard of living, the growth in holiday travel and car ownership and a new chapter charting the rise and fall of Margaret Thatcher and a detailed analysis of her legacy. This new, thoroughly updated edition is essential reading for all students of British history.
A vigorous interpretation of political and social developments in Britain since the late-Victorian era, "State and Society" is one of the most respected and widely read introductions to modern British history. In it, Pugh explores, as his central theme, the relationship between the British state and its citizens. "A first-rate text on modern British history."—John Stevenson, Contemporary Record

Genres: History, Nonfiction

416 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Martin Pugh is a historian of nineteenth- and twentieth-century Britain, and was formerly professor of modern British history at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. His publications include State and Society and The Pankhursts.

Reviews

[Kaya]

Very detailed and got me through my British history module at university nicely.

The downside: sometimes chapters did get quite tedious because there was so much writing crammed on to one page.

[Gillian]

Lots and lots!