Synopses & Reviews
This innovative book provides an essential historical perspective on the boundaries of the state in modern Britain. At a time of intense debate about the state, the collection of interdisciplinary studies gathered here emphasizes the sheer variety of public involvement in British life, the ebb and flow of that involvement and its dynamics, and the wider implications this has for civil society and intellectual life. These new essays contribute to current debates not only by providing a historical analysis but also by looking to future developments.
Synopsis
An innovative collection of essays on state involvement in British life - past, present and future.
Synopsis
At a time of intense debate about the state, these inter-disciplinary essays provide an essential historical perspective on public involvement in private life. The contributors give a balanced account of state intervention, and investigate its implications for civil society and intellectual life in Britain - past, present and future.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction: the shifting boundaries of the State in modern Britain S. J. D. Green and R. C. Whiting; Part I. The State and Political Theory: 2. Political thought and the state Jose Harris; 3. 'Boundaries' in theoretical language about the British state Michael Bentley; 4. The twilight of the British state? Henry Dubb versus sceptered awe David Marquand; 5. Thinking about the state and the economy Robert Skidelsky; Part II. The Economy: 6. The size and scope of the public sector Roger Middleton; 7. The boundaries of taxation R. C. Whiting; 8. Economic knowledge and the state in modern Britain G. C. Peden; Part III. Welfare and Social Policy: 9. The dilemmas of welfare: Titmuss, Murray and Mead Alan Deacon; 10. Medicine and the English state Anne Digby; 11. The English state and educational theory Adrian Wooldridge; Part IV. Conflict and Order: 12. British national identity and the First World War J. M. Winter; 13. A state of siege: the state and political violence Charles Townshend; Part V. Religion and Morality: 14. Survival and autonomy: on the strange fortunes and peculiar legacy of ecclesiastical establishment in the modern British state, c. 1920 to the present day S. J. D. Green; 15. Churches, sects and the state Bryan Wilson; 16. The British state and the power of life and death Christie Davies; 17. Conclusion: on the past developments and future prospects of the state in modern Britain S. J. D. Green and R. C. Whiting.