Labour's Economic Ideology Since 1900: Developed Through Crises

by Christopher Kirkland

Overview

This book traces the economic ideology of the UK Labour Party from its origins to the current day. Through its analysis, the book emphasises key crises, including the 1926 General Strike, the 1931 Great Depression, the 1979 Winter of Discontent and the 2007/2008 economic crisis. In analysing this history, the ideology of the Labour Party is examined through four core themes: • the party’s definition of socialism; • the role of the state in economic decision making; • the party’s understanding of inequalities; and • its relationship with the trade union movement. The result is a systematic exploration of the drivers and key ideas behind the Labour Party’s economic ideology. In demonstrating how crises have affected the party’s economic policy, the book presents a historical analysis of the party’s evolution since its formation and offers insights into how future changes may occur.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781529204247
Publisher:	Bristol University Press
Publication date:	10/25/2022
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	206
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x (d)

About the Author

Christopher Kirkland is Lecturer in Politics at York St. John University.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction: The Labour Party’s Economic Policy and Crises Chapter 2: Taff Vale and the First World War Chapter 3: Governing in Hard Times: The Second Labour Government and Need for a Coherent Economic Policy Chapter 4: The Second World War, Reconstruction and Revisionism Chapter 5: Testing the Labour–Unions Relationship Chapter 6: The Advent of New Labour Chapter 7: New Labour and the Global Financial Crisis Chapter 8: Electoral Revision Chapter 9: Conclusion

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“This book offers a thorough and wide-ranging introduction to the development of Labour’s economic ideas throughout the entirety of the party’s history.” Richard Johnson, Queen Mary University of London

“Provides a penetrating analysis of Labour's changing economic ideas over the last century. Readable and incisive, Labour’s Economic Ideology Since 1900 charts the evolving influence of 'socialism' on the party's economic policy and programme. It is a 'must read' for all those with an interest in the past and future of British politics and the left.” Patrick Diamond, Queen Mary University of London

“Offers a useful introduction to Labour’s ideas, especially on matters of economic policy, providing a succinct synthesis of the existing research by a wide range of scholars of the party.” Eric Shaw, University of Stirling