A History of the Liberal Party in the Twentieth Century by David Dutton

A History of the Liberal Party in the Twentieth Century by David Dutton

Once teetering on the brink of oblivion, the British Liberal Party has again re-established itself as a major force in national and local politics. Most existing accounts of the party are written within the context of the party's decline - the passage of the twentieth century, however, enables a fresh view to be taken which allows the intriguing story of the Liberals' waning, near-death and ultimate recovery to be seen in a clearer light. David Dutton's approachable study offers new insights into the fortunes of the Liberal Party. Focusing on the problem of a third party operating in a political structure designed to accommodate two rather than three contenders for power, Dutton offers a rounded view of the Liberals and their relations with their Labour and Conservative opponents. Discussions of politics, philosophy and performance are all skillfully interwoven as Dutton demonstrates how the party has been strengthening its position for more than forty years to become, once more, a formidable player on the political stage. This lively survey of British Liberalism from the era of Campbell-Bannerman to that of Charles Kennedy reviews existing literature while offering its own distinctive perspective on one of the most compelling of political dramas.

'The history of the twentieth-century Liberal Party is about the idea of Liberalism itself, and this book plays an important part in documenting that !David Dutton cites Lady Violet Bonham Carter, who said that The only purpose of politics is the expression of one's deepest convictions - and their translation into facts. Any historian who reminds us of that has performed an invaluable task.' - The Rt. Hon. Charles Kennedy, MP 'David Dutton has provided us with a book we have long been waiting for - a scholarly, rigorous and highly readable survey of twentieth-century British Liberal history. It will be required reading for any serious student of British Liberalism.' - Duncan Brack, Journal of Liberal History 'The history of the liberal party in the twentieth century is a fascinating subject which David Dutton investigates with clarity, a masterly command of detail, and utter fairness. Everyone interested in British politics should read this book.' - P.M.H. Bell 'A shrewd and timely analysis of the Liberal Party's fortunes as it sought to come to terms with the historical changes of the last century... Required and well-informed reading for all those interested in the evolving identity of the Liberal Party and its relationship with 'liberalism', the two main parties, and its mutation into the Liberal Democrats.' - Ralph White, former Senior Lecturer at Salford University 'In no other title on the history of the Liberal Party is such a varied body of research brought together so succinctly.' - Matt Cole, Journal of Liberal History 'David Dutton's History is a timely and thorough examination of Liberal transformation and fortunes since the nineteenth-century...To cover so much ground in a detailed and analytical way makes this book something of a tour de force: it deserves to take its place as the best succinct history we have.' - Parliamentary Affairs 'This is a much-needed, well-researched book, which provides a balanced survey of the ups and downs (mainly downs) of the Liberal Party throughout the twentieth century.' - T.A.Jenkins, History 'In tone, range and balance this is not only the best single volume general history of the modern Liberal Party but a key addition to any undergraduate reading list concerning Britain in the last century.' - Contemporary British History 'Overall, Dutton's book is a pleasure to read. It serves up a synthesis of traditional political party history in a lively and engaging manner.' - Matthew Hendley, Canadian Journal of History 'By far the most reliable history of the modern Liberal Party...Dutton has found his way through the thickets of detail, and this history will in future be the first port of call for all those interested in studying the twentieth-century Liberal Party.' - Vernon Bogdanor, English Historical Review

DAVID DUTTON is Professor of Modern History at the University of Liverpool, UK.

SKU	Nicht verfügbar
ISBN 13	9780333746561
ISBN 10	0333746562
Titel	A History of the Liberal Party in the Twentieth Century
Autor	David Dutton
Buchzustand	Nicht verfügbar
Bindungsart	Paperback
Verlag	Palgrave Macmillan
Erscheinungsjahr	2004-08-27
Seitenanzahl	360
Hinweis auf dem Einband	Die Abbildung des Buches dient nur Illustrationszwecken, die tatsächliche Bindung, das Cover und die Auflage können sich davon unterscheiden.
Hinweis	Nicht verfügbar