A Companion to Contemporary Britain: 1939-2000 (Blackwell Companions to British History)

A Companion to Contemporary Britain covers the key themes and debates of 20th-century history from the outbreak of the Second World War to the end of the century. Assesses the impact of the Second World War Looks at Britain's role in the wider world, including the legacy of Empire, Britain's 'special relationship' with the United States, and integration with continental Europe Explores cultural issues, such as class consciousness, immigration and race relations, changing gender roles, and the impact of the mass media Covers domestic politics and the economy Introduces the varied perspectives dominating historical writing on this period Identifies the key issues which are likely to fuel future debate A COMPANION TO CONTEMPORARY BRITAIN 1939–2000......Page 5 Contents......Page 9 List of Figures......Page 12 List of Tables......Page 13 Notes on Contributors......Page 15 Introduction......Page 19 1 The Impact of the Second World War......Page 21 2 The Impact of the Cold War......Page 41 3 Population and the Family......Page 60 4 Cities, Suburbs, Countryside......Page 77 5 Class......Page 94 6 Immigration and Racism......Page 111 7 Sport and Recreation......Page 128 8 Youth Culture......Page 145 9 Sexuality......Page 163 10 Economic 'Decline' in Post-War Britain......Page 182 11 The Transformation of the Economy......Page 198 12 The Geography of Economic Change......Page 221 13 Living Standards and Consumption......Page 244 14 Gender: Change and Continuity......Page 263 15 Welfare, Poverty and Social Inequalities......Page 281 16 Education......Page 299 17 Health......Page 315 18 Rewriting the Unwritten Constitution......Page 333 19 The Secret State......Page 351 20 Rethinking the 'Rise and Fall' of Two-Party Politics......Page 369 21 The Rise and Disintegration of the Working Classes......Page 389 22 The Growth of Social Movements......Page 407 23 Civil Society......Page 425 24 The Politics of Devolution......Page 445 25 The Politics of Northern Ireland......Page 462 26 Britain in the World Economy......Page 481 27 The End of Empire......Page 500 28 The Anglo-American 'Special Relationship'......Page 517 29 Britain and Europe......Page 535 30 British Defence Policy......Page 557 Select Bibliography......Page 574 Index......Page 585 A Companion to Contemporary Britain covers the key themes and debates of twentieth--century history from the outbreak of the Second World War to the end of the century. Comprising 30 essays written by leading international scholars, it provides readers with a single--volume reference to the varied perspectives dominating historical writing on this period. The volume opens with an assessment of the impact of war, before moving on to examine Britain's continuing role in the wider world, particularly the legacy of Empire, Britain's "special relationship" with the United States, and integration with continental Europe. Domestic politics, the economy, society, and popular culture are also covered, including such topics as class consciousness, immigration and race relations, changing gender roles, and the impact of the mass media. Where essays include discussion of the last years of the century, they often present the first assessment of recent developments from a self--consciously historical perspective A Companion to Contemporary Britain covers the key themes and debates of twentieth-century history from the outbreak of the Second World War to the end of the century. Comprising 32 essays written by leading international scholars, it provides readers with a single-volume reference to the varied perspectives dominating historical writing on this period. The volume opens with an assessment of the impact of war, before moving on to examine Britain's continuing role in the wider world, particularly the legacy of Empire, Britain's 'special relationship' with the United States, and integration with 'A Companion to Contemporary Britain' covers the key themes and debates of 20th century history from the outbreak of the Second World War to the end of the century