Books: Comparative Politics and Area Studies

R. Banton, P. Clifford, S. Frosh, J. Lousada and J. Rosenthal, The Politics of Mental Health (London, Macmillan, 1985)
T. Forester (ed.), The Information Technology Revolution (Oxford, Basil Blackwell, 1985
Philip Green, Retrieving Democracy: in Search of Civic Equality (Totawa, N. J., Rowman & Allanheid 1985)
Joseph J. Houska, Influencing Mass Political Behaviour: Elites and Political Subcultures in the Netherlands and Austria (Berkeley, Institute of International Studies, University of California, 1985)
R. Kuhn (ed.), The Politics of Broadcasting (Beckenham, Croorn Helm, 1984)
G. E. Lang and K. Lang, Politics and Television Reviewed (Berkeley, Sage, 1984)
A. Organski, J. Kugler, J. Johnson and Y. Cohen, Births, Deaths and Taxes (Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 1984)
W. E. Styler, Adult Education and Political Systems (Nottingham, Publications Unit, Department of Adult Education, University of Nottingham, 1985)
David Robertson, A Dictionary of Modern Politics (London, Europa Publications, 1985)
J. T. Morley, Secular Socialists: The CCF/NDP in Ontario , A Biography (Toronto, McCill-Queen's University Press, 1984)
H. S. Parmet, JFK: the Presidency of John F. Kennedy (Harmondsworth, Penguin, 1984)
R. H. K. Vietor, Energy Policy in America Since 1945 (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1985)
G. T. Mazuzan and J. S. Walker, Controlling the Atom (Berkeley, University of California Press, 1984)
A. Figueroa, Capitalist Development and the Peasant Economy in Peru (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1984)
Harvey B. Feigenbaum, The Politics of Public Enterprise: Oil and the French State (Princeton, Princeton University Press, 1985)
Eckhard Jesse, Wahlrecht zwischen Kontinuitat und Reform 1949–1983 (Dusseldorf, Droste, 1985)
H. Lydall, Yugoslav Socialism: Theory and Practice (Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1984)     

Introduction: The Progressive Dilemma in British Politics

This special edition reflects on the contemporary relevance of the insights and concerns of David Marquand's book The Progressive Dilemma. In this Introduction, the editors set the scene for these reflections. They consider the structural changes that have occurred in politics since the 1990s: the impact of globalisation, the erosion of class identities, the rise of ‘identity politics’ and the continued fragmentation of the party system. There has been no reconciliation between the parties of the centre‐left, nor any re‐examination of the ‘liberal tradition’ and the potential for a new synthesis with revisionist social democracy. On the one hand, Corbynism is a radicalised metropolitan species of liberalism, while on the other there are plenty in Labour who stress the need for the party to re‐engage with the traditional, socially conservative values of the working class in a new ‘postliberal’ appeal. Yet the authors argue that those who broadly identify with progressive causes in British politics—animated by the various overlapping strands of social liberalism, social democracy and liberal socialism—have still to work out how to address the historic failings that Marquand so eloquently exposed, to create a new and inspiring intellectual vision that unites and energises the left and centre‐left.     

Progressivism in British Politics: Some Revisionist Themes

This article argues that a return to the history of progressive political thought can help us to think afresh about what a renewed centre‐left politics might look like today. The article identifies some significant aspects of this history that attracted little attention in earlier debates over the British progressive tradition—in particular, debates about social ownership, nationalism and distributism. This revisionist history of British progressivism points the way towards some common ideological ground that could provide a starting point for a new dialogue between different ‘progressive’ political parties and interests.     

The Racialization of British Politics

The idea of 'race' was an important part of the post-1945 political and ideological context within which migration from the New Commonwealth began. This is demonstrated by an analysis of an important policy document which provides a foundation upon which to evaluate the character and significance of racism in the subsequent political process. This evaluation contrasts and comments upon rival accounts of the impact of racism offered by writers who have analysed official government files from the period. The paper concludes by arguing against a conception of racism which presumes that it is a constant and unchanging ideological bloc within the British political process.     

Climbing the Greasy Pole: Promotion in British Politics

This article addresses the subject of ministerial promotion and is based on memoirs and interviews. It seeks to discern the essential qualities which motivate political ambition; for example extremes of energy, confidence, optimism and family support. The talent pool for office is held to be worryingly shallow though allowing wider access, via the Lords, has not so far proved a huge success. Deciding upon appointments is also analysed as is the means politicians use to advertise their suitability for office. It concludes that, natural ability notwithstanding, luck and courage are often the chief attributes of success.