The Brief and Turbulent Life of Modernising Conservatism
Author: Stuart Mitchell
Date Of Publication: Jul 2006
Isbn13: 9781847180094
Isbn: 1-84718-009-4
The Brief and Turbulent Life of Modernising Conservatism is an examination of government tensions and frustrations during a time of economic and social flux. It concentrates on the development of domestic industrial policy in the Conservative Party between 1945 and 1964, with particular emphasis on Harold Macmillan’s and Sir Alec Douglas-Home’s administrations. Between the general elections of 1959 and 1964, the Conservative Government effected a series of striking and dangerously controversial policy transformations in response to its recognition of Britain’s relative economic decline. These adjustments were both practical and strategic. The administration’s aim was extraordinarily ambitious. It sought to fashion a recognisably modern and dynamic, yet socially stable, nation that could retain its place in the international élite. Thereby, the Party hoped to ensure its own continuation in power. The author considers policy innovations that included an ill-starred attempt to join the European Community, the development of macro-economic planning, and the abolition of resale price maintenance–an exploit which roused the Tory Party to unusual heights of passion. The book does not simply regurgitate an orthodox high political narrative. Instead, it investigates topics of interest to modern historians and political scientists alike. It will be of value to anyone interested in questions of modern political ideology, social and economic change, the nature of popular political support, or the constraints on state power in the post-war world.

Stuart Mitchell completed his doctoral thesis at the Open University in 2004. In the past twelve years, he has taught modern history at a number of universities and colleges. At present, he is an associate lecturer and course consultant for the Open University in London.

"The remarkable electoral record of the Conservative Party in the Twentieth Century has not been matched by a corresponding level of academic interest. This relative neglect has left important gaps in our knowledge of post-war British political history. For example, the governments of Harold Macmillan and Alec Douglas-Home (1957-64) are often misunderstood. Popular memories of this period are dominated by the Profumo Affair and the satire boom of the early 1960s, which gave the impression of a Conservative Party which was out of touch with social change. Stuart Mitchell's important study will help to revise this dominant impression. Drawing on all the main primary sources, he shows that the Conservatives were accutely aware of the challenges of modernity. Indeed, many of their problems arose from their various attempts to adapt to social and economic change. Mitchell presents an engrossing account of the struggle between 'modernisers' and more traditional figures within the party. This gives his book considerable topical relevance, in addition to its merits as a well-researched contribution to political history."

Dr. Mark Garnett, Research Fellow, University of Leicester

"This is an important study which speaks both to the study of the past and

debates on the present. It fills a gap in literature on the history of the

post-war Conservative party, but should also be read by those engaged in, or

commentating on, present day developments in David Cameron's Conservative

Party."

Dr. Richard Grayson

Lecturer in British Politics

Goldsmiths College, University of London

"A learned and well written account. Timely."

Dr. Anthony Seldon

Founding Director of the Institute of Contemporary British History

"Mitchell's text draws an elaborate picture of a critical turning point in the British social-history through an examination of the complex internal political dynamics that animated policy discussions within the ruling Conservative Party in this period."

Konstantin Kilibarda, York University, CEU Political Science Journal. Vol. 4, No. 4, Autumn 2009

Price Uk Gbp: 39.99
Price Us Usd: 59.99

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