Penguin Books and Political Change: Britain's Meritocratic Moment, 1937-1988

Penguin Books was founded in 1935 by a young publisher disillusioned with the class prejudices of the interwar publishing trade. The 'Penguin Specials,' a series of current affairs books authored by leading intellectuals and politicians, embodied its democratizing mission. Published over fifty years and often selling in vast quantities, these inexpensive paperbacks helped shape popular ideas about subjects as varied as the welfare state, homelessness, social class, and environmental decay. Dean Blackburn argues that Britain witnessed the emergence and eclipse of a 'meritocratic moment' between the late-1930s and the mid-1980s, at the core of which was the belief that a strong relationship between merit and reward would bring about social stability and economic efficiency.

Format: Hardback
Length: 296 pages
Publication date: 12 November 2020
Publisher: Manchester University Press

Penguin Books, founded in 1935 by a young publisher frustrated with the class biases of the interwar publishing industry, embarked on a mission to make quality literature accessible to everyone. The 'Penguin Specials,' a series of current affairs books authored by renowned intellectuals and politicians, exemplified the publisher's democratizing vision. Spanning over fifty years and frequently selling in large quantities, these affordable paperbacks played a significant role in shaping public perceptions on diverse topics such as the welfare state, homelessness, social class, and environmental degradation.

In his book, Dean Blackburn explores the ideas that shaped post-war Britain through the lens of the 'Penguin Specials.' Between the late-1930s and the mid-1980s, Blackburn argues that Britain experienced a 'meritocratic moment,' characterized by the belief that a strong link between merit and reward would foster social stability and economic efficiency. Equal opportunity and professional expertise, values upheld by Penguin's publishing ethos, were seen as the engines of social and economic progress. However, as the social and economic crises of the 1970s took hold, many contemporary thinkers and politicians began to question the underlying assumptions of meritocratic logic. The so-called 'meritocratic moment' in Britain had passed.

The 'Penguin Specials' not only provided a platform for intellectual discourse but also contributed to the broader cultural landscape of post-war Britain. They reached a wide audience, particularly among young readers, and helped to shape the political and social attitudes of a generation. The books tackled pressing issues of the time, such as the rise of fascism, the impact of war, and the challenges of social reform, and provided a nuanced understanding of these complex subjects.

Through the 'Penguin Specials,' Penguin Books demonstrated its commitment to promoting education, social justice, and cultural diversity. The publisher's dedication to quality literature and its belief in the power of ideas to transform society continue to inspire and influence readers worldwide. The legacy of Penguin Books, with its commitment to accessibility, intellectual rigor, and social responsibility, remains a testament to the enduring power of publishing to shape public opinion and drive positive change.

Weight: 484g
Dimension: 146 x 223 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526129284