The Twentieth-Century Welfare State (British History in Perspective)

02 This much-needed book offers a concise and vivid description of the history of Britain's welfare state and of the main controversies that have surrounded it. Just as the great theme of Britain's external political history in the 20th century can be seen as the continuous attempt to adjust to a relatively declining international position, so the great theme of Britain's social history is the development of the welfare state. From relatively modest beginnings under the pre-1914 Liberals to its post-1945 apotheosis, the welfare state has come to dominate many aspects of life in Britain, leaving hardly anyone untouched.
This much-needed book offers a concise and vivid description of the history of Britain's welfare state and of the main controversies that have surrounded it. Just as the great theme of Britain's external political history in the 20th century can be seen as the continuous attempt to adjust to a relatively declining international position, so the great theme of Britain's social history is the development of the welfare state. From relatively modest beginnings under the pre-1914 Liberals to its post-1945 apotheosis, the welfare state has come to dominate many aspects of life in Britain, leaving hardly anyone untouched.