The politics of retirement in Britain : 1878-1948

Based on much original research, this book examines in detail the emergence of retirement as a social issue in the period 1878 to 1948, focusing in particular on the evolution of state pensions. Important new insights are offered into the role of key individuals, such as William Blackley, Joseph Chamberlain, and Charles Booth and interest groups, such as the Charity Organisation Society, the friendly societies, the labour movement and pensioners' organisations. Subsequent sections examine the shift to contributory pensions as part of the 'new Conservatism' of the 1920s, the debate on retirement pensions in the following decade, the treatment of old age poverty by the inter-war social surveys, and the concern over the 'burden' of an ageing population in the late 1930s. The book concludes with a radical reinterpretation of the 1942 Beveridge Report. This book promises to be the definitive history of state pensions in Britain. This important study examines the evolution of the most important aspect of the founding of the British welfare state: the debate on retirement and state pensions between 1878 and 1948. The author uses much original research to describe the evolution of a social policy, and challenging new insights are offered into many areas of social history and social policy, notably the role of social reformers, the Charity Organisation Society, the friendly societies, the main political parties and the trade unions. The book concludes with a radical reinterpretation of the 1942 Beveridge Report. This book is a detailed and thorough analysis of the evolution of the most important item in the modern British welfare state - the income support of retired people via state pensions. It will be of interest to historians, gerontologists, and social-welfare analysts and promises to be the definitive history of state pensions in Britain. By the late nineteenth century, many thoughtful political commentators in Britain were viewing the prospect of mass democracy with alarm.

a Very Important And Thorough Analysis Of The Debate On Retirement And State Pensions In Britain.