Useful History of Britain: The Politics of Getting Things Done

The UK has not yet lasted as long as the Kingdom of Wessex, but this book sets out to explore how people in the past used political power to get things done. It shows that history can speak directly to current political debates and that the ideas and challenges driving political life have always affected larger parts of the globe. It also gives us more resources for thinking about what we might do next.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 22 July 2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press

The United Kingdom has yet to endure as long as the Kingdom of Wessex, and it is uncertain if it will ever do so. Conventional histories of Britain present the origins of the UK as the inevitable culmination of political development on the island. However, in his book, Michael Braddick aims to explore a different perspective. He seeks to understand how people in the past have utilized political power to achieve their goals.

Braddick offers a concise thematic overview that demonstrates how history can directly address current political debates. Many individuals believe that national governments hold little relevance to their daily lives and that the challenges we face today, such as climate change, disease, and global economic regulation, are beyond our control. However, it is important to recognize that these issues have not emerged suddenly but have been part of a shared and parallel global history, often interconnected through institutions extending far beyond the island of Britain.

On the other hand, throughout the last 6000 years, people have also acted at smaller scales. What unites us with the previous inhabitants of this island is our shared ambition to use political power to bring about change. Rather than a predetermined shared destiny leading to a government based in Westminster, our commonality lies in our shared desire to effect positive outcomes through political means.

This book aims to broaden our understanding by drawing upon the experiences of past societies. By learning from their successes and failures, we can gain a more comprehensive perspective on our current position and develop more effective strategies for the future. It provides us with valuable insights and resources that can help us navigate the challenges we face and work towards a better future for ourselves and future generations.

Weight: 424g
Dimension: 147 x 224 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198848301