An Affluent Society? An Affluent Society?
Modern Economic and Social History

An Affluent Society‪?‬

Britain's Post-War 'Golden Age' Revisited

    • $82.99
    • $82.99

Publisher Description

During an election speech in 1957 the Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, famously remarked that 'most of our people have never had it so good'. Although taken out of context, this phrase soon came to epitomize the sense of increased affluence and social progress that was prevalent in Britain during the 1950s and 1960s. Yet, despite the recognition that Britain had moved away from an era of rationing and scarcity, to a new age of choice and plenty, there was simultaneously a parallel feeling that the nation was in decline and being economically outstripped by its international competitors. Whilst the study of Britain's postwar history is a well-trodden path, and the paradox of absolute growth versus relative decline much debated, it is here approached in a fresh and rewarding way. Rather than highlighting economic and industrial 'decline', this volume emphasizes the tremendous impact of rising affluence and consumerism on British society. It explores various expressions of affluence: new consumer goods; shifting social and cultural values; changes in popular expectations of policy; shifting popular political behaviour; changing attitudes of politicians towards the electorate; and the representation of affluence in popular culture and advertising. By focusing on the widespread cultural consequences of increasing levels of consumerism, emphasizing growth over decline and recognizing the rising standards of living enjoyed by most Britons, a new and intriguing window is opened on the complexities of this 'golden age'. Contrasting growing consumer expectations and demands against the anxieties of politicians and economists, this book offers all students of the period a new perspective from which to view post-imperial Britain and to question many conventional historical assumptions.

GENRE
History
RELEASED
2017
28 July
LANGUAGE
EN
English
LENGTH
272
Pages
PUBLISHER
Taylor & Francis
SELLER
Taylor & Francis Group
SIZE
2.8
MB
Managing the Economy, Managing the People Managing the Economy, Managing the People
2017
Structures and Transformations In Modern British History Structures and Transformations In Modern British History
2011
Welfare and Social Policy in Britain Since 1870 Welfare and Social Policy in Britain Since 1870
2019
The Eclipse of 'Elegant Economy' The Eclipse of 'Elegant Economy'
2016
Reform and Its Complexities in Modern Britain Reform and Its Complexities in Modern Britain
2022
The Mismeasure of Progress The Mismeasure of Progress
2020
Taste, Trade and Technology Taste, Trade and Technology
2017
Industrial Clusters and Regional Business Networks in England, 1750-1970 Industrial Clusters and Regional Business Networks in England, 1750-1970
2017
Exchange Rates and Economic Policy in the 20th Century Exchange Rates and Economic Policy in the 20th Century
2017
Insuring the Industrial Revolution Insuring the Industrial Revolution
2017
Alfred Herbert Ltd and the British Machine Tool Industry, 1887-1983 Alfred Herbert Ltd and the British Machine Tool Industry, 1887-1983
2017
Britain and the Economic Problem of the Cold War Britain and the Economic Problem of the Cold War
2017