After Britain by Tom Nairn

After Britain by Tom Nairn

After Britain is a scathing analysis of the twilight of an ancient state: the United Kingdom. Its constitutional monarchy (lacking a written constitution), its parliamentary democracy (with a totally undemocratic second chamber) and its rule of law (without a full bill of rights or freedom of information) were once the envy of the world. Now, a 'modernizing' government is embarking on a last ditch effort to shore up the fragments of old glory. In this mordantly funny and brilliantly perceptive book, Tom Nairn shows how self-government in Scotland and Wales will inexorably remove sovereignty from Westminster. He also paints a satirical portrait of New Labour that cuts through the glitz and spin to the emptiness beneath. 'This is, in short, the most intelligent book on the future of our states.' Guardian 'This is a thrilling and timely book.a huge sweeping historical overview.' Observer 'A passionate polemic. No-one can claim literacy in contemporary British politics who has not read it.' New Statesman

Tom Nairn was born in Freuchie, Fife on 2nd June 1932. Educated in Soctland, Tom went to Dunfermline High School before attending the Edinburgh College of Art from 1950-51. After the first year of his Fine Art degree, however, he switched to Philosophy, graduating from the University of Edinburgh in 1956 with a first class Honours degree in Mental Philosophy. Heading south, Tom went on to study at Oriel College, Oxford under Iris Murdoch but he left in 1959 without completing his B.Litt degree. After a 'therapeutic conversion to mild-mannered Marxism', and a Carnegie Scholarship at Rome University, Tom lived in France for a couple of years. In 1962 he joined the editorial board of the New Left Review and it was from this period that what would later be called the 'Nairn-Anderson theses' on British Decline emerged. From 1962 until 1969 Tom Nairn lectured at various universities in the UK, including Birmingham University and the Hornsey College of Art. Sacked from the latter af

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781862072930
ISBN 10	1862072930
Title	After Britain
Author	Tom Nairn
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Hardback
Publisher	Granta Books
Year published	2000-01-07
Number of pages	336
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.