A minority and the state
Subtitle: Travellers in Britain in the twentieth century
By: Becky Taylor.
Publisher: Manchester University Press
Published: 2008
Place of publication: Manchester
Language: eng
Number of pages: 246
ISBN-13: 9780719075674
Subjects: Romanies -- Great Britain -- History -- 20th century; Romanies -- Great Britain -- Social conditions -- 20th century; Great Britain -- Ethnic relations -- History -- 20th century
Description: "This book is a much-needed general history of Britain's travelling communities in the twentieth century. The book draws together detailed archival research at the local and national level to explore the impact of state and legislative developments affecting Travellers, as well as their experiences of missions, education, war and welfare in the twentieth century." "Crucially, it argues that their history must not be dealt with in isolation, as Travellers, along with the rest of British society, were affected by increased regulation and state interference, war, pressures on land, motorisation, mechanisation and the growth of consumerism. In this context of massive social change, the book relates Travellers' history to the general expansion of government functions over the century, and its relationship to minority groups more generally. It argues that romanticised and largely unfounded stereotypes of 'Gypsies' had a profound impact, not only on popular imagination and acceptance of Traveller lifestyles, but also on legislation and treatment of travelling communities." "It will be of interest to scholars and students concerned with minority groups, the welfare state and the expansion of government, as well as general readers and practitioners working with Travellers."--Jacket.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [225]-238) and index.
Table of contents: title: The early twentieth century and wartime; title: Travellers' lives, 1900-45; title: The state and its legal responses; title: Education and missions; title: Post-war and the 1960s; title: Travellers' lives, 1945-68; title: The state and site provision; title: Travellers and the welfare state; title: The later years; title: State developments and Travellers' responses, 1968-2000; title: Conclusion.