The British state expanded as a result of constant, and often fierce, struggle between those in favour of a greater role for the state in social provision and economic management and those who opposed it. This book looks at both sides - at the views of Labour, the unions, reforming bureaucrats, and intellectuals, as well as those of Conservatives, upper and middle-class taxpayers, organized business and the City, and higher civil servants, who were against innovation.

An examination of the Cold War from the creation and structure of the postwar settlement to the eventual coming apart of the post war order in the 1980s and early 1990s.
James Cronin explores the creation and structure of the postwar settlement and the eventual coming apart of the postwar order in the 1980s and early 1990s. Cronin argues that the current state of the world must be understood against the backdrop of the postwar order that until recently governed, prevented or distorted political and economic change.

Back CoverThe policies and choices taken by New Labour in power demonstrate that its understanding of the party's past continues to inform the government's and party's identity, outlook, programme and strategy.New Labour's Pasts locates the origins and distinguishing features of New Labour in this troubled past of 'old Labour'. The failings of the Wilson and Callaghan governments, internal disharmony and electoral defeats in the 1980s and 1990s have created a powerful legacy of failure. Profoundly affected by this past, New Labour is resolutely determined not to repeat it.This timely and...

In What s Left of the Left, distinguished scholars of European and U.S. politics consider how center-left political parties have fared since the 1970s. They explore the left s responses to the end of the postwar economic boom, the collapse of the Soviet Union, the erosion of traditional party politics, the expansion of market globalization, and the shift to a knowledge-based economy. Their comparative studies of center-left politics in Scandinavia, France, Germany, southern Europe, post Cold War Central and Eastern Europe, the United Kingdom, and the United States emphasize differences...

Considers how centre-left political parties have fared since the 1970s and the daunting but by no means insurmountable challenges faced by them.