The British Fiscal-Military States, 1660-c.1783

The fiscal-military state concept, popularized by John Brewer in 1989, has been challenged by recent work on fiscal structures, military and naval contractors, Scotland, Ireland, and the wider political context. This volume explores topics such as finance and revenue, the interaction of the state with society, the relations between the military and its contractors, and the utility of the concept. It offers challenging and imaginative new perspectives on the fiscal-military structures that underpinned the development of modern European states from the eighteenth century onwards.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 306 pages
Publication date: 29 August 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The concept of the fiscal-military state, popularized by John Brewer in 1989, has gained widespread recognition among historians of eighteenth-century England. However, even upon its publication, the book sparked controversy, and the essays compiled in this volume showcase how recent research on fiscal structures, military and naval contractors, parallel developments in Scotland and Ireland, and the broader political context has critically challenged the fundamental assumptions of this model in increasingly sophisticated and nuanced ways.

To provide a historical backdrop, the book begins with an introductory chapter that situates The Sinews of Power and subsequent scholarship on the fiscal-military state within its broader contexts. Additionally, John Brewer contributes a commentary that addresses the critical questions raised by this body of work.

The subsequent chapters delve into a diverse range of topics, encompassing finance and revenue, the interplay between the state and society, the dynamics between the military and its contractors, and even the usefulness of the concept of the fiscal-military state itself. These chapters offer challenging and imaginative new perspectives on the fiscal-military structures that underpinned the development of modern European states from the eighteenth century onwards.

In conclusion, this volume presents a comprehensive and thought-provoking exploration of the fiscal-military state in eighteenth-century England. By examining the contributions of esteemed scholars, it sheds light on the complexities and nuances of this historical phenomenon and provides valuable insights into the broader political, social, and economic dynamics of the era.

Weight: 472g
Dimension: 155 x 233 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032402499