Democratisation in Britian
Subtitle: Elites, Civil Society and Reform Since 1800 (British Studies)
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Published: February 9, 2002
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 335
ISBN-13: 9780333646397
Subjects: British & Irish history: c 1700 to c 1900; British & Irish history: from c 1900 -; Political structures: democracy; 20th century; c 1800 to c 1900; History; Sociology; History: World; United Kingdom, Great Britain; Anthropology - Cultural; Europe - Great Britain - General; Political Ideologies - Democracy; Political Science / Democracy; Democratization; Elite (Social sciences); Great Britain; Political activity; Working class
Description: "Democratisation in Britain is a novel reinterpretation of British social and political history since 1800 in the light of the continuing debate about democratisation. As such, the book goes far beyond standard histories of political reform. In common with politics in Northern Europe, North America and Australasia, Britain's democratisation began early and in highly favourable circumstances. The process took place in stages, only half-consciously and in the context of a generally benign economic cycle. The country possessed a vibrant civil society at most levels of its adult population, along with a flexible, competitive and opportunistic set of political elites." "Countries undergoing democratisation since 1918 have been far less fortunate, and the process is thereby much more difficult. Thus this book may be seen as portraying an 'ideal type' against which to compare and contrast these later experiences." "Democratisation in Britain combines the disciplines of political science and history, and will be of interest to scholars and students in both fields."--Jacket.