The Progressive Dilemma: From Lloyd George to Kinnock

by David Marquand (Author)

• Used

  Hardcover
  1991

  $6.08

  This book explores the central paradox of British democracy - the fact that Conservative governments have held office for nearly 50 of the 70 years since manhood suffrage was introduced in 1918 - as well as the dilemmas and ambiguities of the 20th century British left. The book analyzes the reasons why the Labour Party of the 1920s failed to construct a Labour-dominated coalition which held power before World War I and examines the roles of individual socialist and social democratic politicians, from Ernest Bevin and Stafford Cripps to Anthony Crosland and David Owen. The author ends this work with a plea for a new progressive coalition, based on the values of community and citizenship.

• Used

  Paperback
  1992

  $18.87

  In this account of the dilemmas and ambiguities of the 20th-century British Left, David Marquand explores the origins and implications of the central paradox of British democracy. In the 19th century the vote was championed by radicals and opposed by conservatives, yet, since universal adult suffrage came to Britain, Conservative or Conservative-dominated governments have held power for more than 70% of the time. The author was a Labour MP for 11 years before taking part in the creation of the SDP. His previous books include Ramsay MacDonald and The Unprincipled Society .