Clear Blue Water?: The Conservative Party and the Welfare State since 1940

by Robert M. Page

Overview

Has the modern Conservative Party developed a distinctive approach to the post-war welfare state? In exploring this question, this accessible book takes an authoritative look at Conservative Party policy and practice in the modern era. The book takes as its main starting point the progressive One Nation Conservative (1950-64) perspective, which endeavoured to embrace those features of the welfare state deemed compatible with the party’s underlying 'philosophy'. Attention then shifts to the neo-liberal Conservatives (1974-97), who sought to reverse the forward march of the welfare state on the grounds of its 'harmful’ economic and social effects. Finally, David Cameron’s (2005-present day) 'progressive’ neo-liberal Conservative welfare state strategy is put under the spotlight. The book’s time-defined content and broad historical thread make it a valuable resource for academics and students in social policy and politics as well as social history.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781447334545
Publisher:	Policy Press
Publication date:	06/01/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	212
File size:	7 MB

About the Author

Robert M Page is Reader in Democratic Socialism and Social Policy at the University of Birmingham. He has written extensively on the post-war British welfare state.
Robert M Page is Reader in Democratic Socialism and Social Policy at the University of Birmingham. He has written extensively on the post-war British welfare state.

Table of Contents

Conservativism, the 'modern' Conservative Party and the welfare state

From war to peace: the Conservatives adn the welfare state in the 1940s

Towards a One Nation Conservative welfare state? The Conservatives and the welfare state, 1950-64

The Heath 'interregnum': modern technocratic Conservativism and the welfare state, 1965-74

The Conservative (counter-) revolution: neo-liberal Conservatism and the welfare state, 1974-97

Progressive neo-liberal Conservatism and the welfare state, 2005 - 2015

Epilogue: The Conservative Party and the welfare state: clear blue water?

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"A comprehensive, informative and accessible account of the Conservative Party’s relationship with the welfare state in the period from Churchill to Cameron." Hugh Bochel, University of Lincoln

"An excellent book tracing the underlying political ideology and strategy of contemporary Conservatism towards the welfare state and placing it in a broader historical context. I recommend this book to academics, students and policymakers alike." Kevin Hickson, University of Liverpool

"[Page} has produced a valuable synthesis that should be on the shelf (or the library shelf) of anyone interested in the Tories, in social policy, and in post-war political history" Twentieth Century British History

Editorial Reviews

"Page has written an important book which combines the history of British Conservative ideas on the welfare state with critical policy analysis. An invaluable source for scholars and students alike." Matt Beech, University of Hull

"Fluently written and with credible arguments embracing historical, political and ideological perspectives." Political Studies Review

"A thorough and detailed survey that will be of considerable benefit to anyone trying to understand the background to the present government's social policy agenda." Citizen's Income

"Page helps foster a deeper understanding of the issues at stake and succeeds in dispelling some widely-held myths about Conservative policy in this area." Cercles Reviews

From the Publisher

A thorough and detailed survey that will be of considerable benefit to anyone trying to understand the background to the present government’s social policy agenda.

Citizen’s Income Newsletter

Fluently written and with credible arguments embracing historical, political, and ideological perspectives.

Political Studies Review

A useful and welcome addition to the literature on welfare and on party politics in the United Kingdom.

Twentieth Century British History

"A comprehensive, informative, and accessible account of the Conservative Party’s relationship with the welfare state in the period from Churchill to Cameron."

Hugh Bochel

Page helps foster a deeper understanding of the issues at stake and succeeds in dispelling some widely held myths about Conservative policy in this area.

Cercles Reviews

"An excellent book tracing the underlying political ideology and strategy of contemporary Conservatism towards the welfare state and plac[ing] it in a broader historical context. I recommend this book to academics, students, and policy makers alike."

Kevin Hickson

"Page has written an important book which combines the history of British Conservative ideas on the welfare state with critical policy analysis. An invaluable source for scholars and students alike."

Matt Beech