The Reform Acts (Volume III): The Struggle for Democracy

Format: Hardback
Publication date: 15 July 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Between 1760 and 1918, a pivotal era in British history, The Reform Acts: The Struggle for Democracy explores the progression of parliamentary and electoral reform. This comprehensive four-volume collection delves into the early calls for electoral reform, examining the motivations behind these demands and the responses of those opposed to change. The reform agenda encompasses a wide range of issues, including economic reform, the secret ballot, proportional representation, eradicating electoral corruption, and granting universal male and female suffrage. The contributions of influential political figures, such as John Wilkes, Charles James Fox, William Pitt the Younger, Henry Hunt, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Daniel O'Connell, William Lovett, Annie Besant, Christabel Pankhurst, and James Keir Hardie, are analyzed in detail.

Furthermore, the volumes acknowledge that the implications of constitutional change extended far beyond Westminster, examining the impact on Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, as well as developments within the British Empire. The concept of citizenship, and who should be eligible to exercise the franchise, became a central theme in discussions from the mid-eighteenth century onwards. Should property, education, class, race, religion, or gender be defining characteristics of franchise holders? And who should have the authority to make these decisions? These debates took place not only in Parliament but also in various public spaces, including streets, pubs, coffee houses, workplaces, and homes.

The documents selected for this collection provide a captivating glimpse into the issues that captivated men and women across Britain for decades. They shed light on the debates, arguments, and struggles that shaped the political landscape and ultimately contributed to the transformative changes that occurred during this period. The Reform Acts serve as a testament to the enduring power of democracy and the continuous pursuit of social and political reform.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138743915