Britain Since 1945

This book offers a comprehensive overview of Britain’s development since the end of the Second World War. Drawing together the themes that have dominated discussion amongst scholars and media commentators, the volume provides a valuable introduction for students of contemporary British history, politics, and society. Britain Since 1945 comprises twenty–three contributions from leading authorities and newer scholars, set in context with a foreword by Raymond Seitz. The chapters are grouped under the thematic headings of government, society, and economy, and address topics such as: foreign policy political parties the media political and economic issues in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland race relations women and social change science and information technology culture industrial relations the welfare state The book fuses together these key perspectives to provide a rich portrait of Britain in the late twentieth century and the changes and developments that have shaped the period.

Notes on Contributors. General Editor′s Preface. (Anthony Seldon). Foreword. (The Hon. Raymond G. H. Seitz). Part I: Government and Politics. 1. Foreign and Defence Policy. (Christopher Coker). 2. The Constitution, Government and Parliament. (Simon James). 3. The Political Parties. (Alan Sked). 4. From Commonwealth to European Integration. (Jonathan Hollowell). 5. Scotland: Cultural Base and Economic Catalysts. (James Mitchell) 6. Wales since 1945. (Kenneth Morgan). 7. Northern Ireland since 1945. (Henry Patterson). 8. The Currents of Political Thought. (Roger Eatwell). 9. The Civil Service. (Keith Dowding). 10. Local Government. (Nirmala Rao). 11. The Media. (Michael Bromley). Part II: Society. 12. Social Trends, Structures, Values and Behaviour. (Arthur Marwick). 13. Women and Social Change 1945–1995. (Jane Lewis). 14. Cultural Change. (Jim McGuigan). 15. Education. (Anthony Heath). 16. Race Relations. (Shamit Saggar). 17. Health and Health Care. (Ray Fitzpatrick, Rebecca Surender and Tarani Chandola). 18. Science and Information Technology. (Jon Agar). 19. Pressure Groups. (Wyn Grant). Part III: Economy. 20. Economic Policy. (Stephen Broadberry). 21. Employment and the Labour Market. (Duncan Gallie). 22. Industrial and Labour Relations. (Chris Wrigley). 23. Welfare State since 1945. (Helen Fawcett). Index.

Jonathan Hollowell is an independent scholar living in New York. Educated at Cambridge University, the London School of Economics and Political Science, the University of Rochester (USA), and Oxford University, he was formerly a tutor for St. Peter’s College, Oxford. He is a former research fellow at the institute for Contemporary History in London and an assistant to former Prime Minister Edward Heath for his memoirs, Course of My Life (1998). He is co–editor of The European Review of History / Revue européenne d’histoire , and among his publications are Twentieth–Century Anglo–American Relations (2001) and a forthcoming text on twentieth–century Europe.

"Jonathan Hollowell′s fresh look at Britain′s post–war story departs in important ways from standard clichés and captures instead the positive excitement for many of the country′s new post–war self–belief. It should be read by all those looking for a refreshing alternative to the standard histories." Peter Jay, former BBC Economics Editor and British Ambassador to the USA <!––end––> "This excellent volume puts the post–war British experience in perspective. The chapters, which include an elegant introduction by Raymond Seitz, and a comprehensive essay on Europe by Jonathan Hollowell, cover all aspects of British life since 1945. This volume, with its helpful suggestions for further reading, is a valuable addition to the field." Norman Stone, Bilkent University "Jonathan Hollowell has brought together an important and user–friendly collection of essays on the major facets of British history in the second half of the twentieth century. In their detail and in the range of issues discussed, there is no book like it. The essays, their suggestions for readings, and chronologies, will be indispensable aids to students at all levels who wish to explore the peculiarities of the British. This is synthetic history of a very high order indeed." Jay Winter, Yale University "A comprehensive survey of British politics and society over the last half century... I shall of course include this remarkable book in the list of recommended readings for students of British politics and society at this university." Jean–Claude Sergeant, The University of Paris III, Sorbonne Nouvelle