Empire, State, and Society: Britain since 1830

In the nineteenth century, Great Britain was the world-recognized superpower, with a daunting formal empire, networks of trade and investment outside its empire, and a formidable military. By the twentieth century, many of these points of pride, tied up as they were with a progressive interpretation of history, had proven to be transitory. As Britain adjusts to her new place in the post-colonial world, Empire, State, and Society assesses the external and internal forces behind the transformation. In doing so, it provides an accessible, comprehensive, and balanced introduction to British history.

Empire, State, and Society draws on the most recent scholarship to give due importance to social, economic and cultural changes as well as politics and international diplomacy. The book is divided into chapters both chronologically and thematically, enabling students to explore in more detail issues of race and Empire, gender, the changing role of religion, and environmental change along with the political narrative. For each chronological period, students are presented with balanced narratives that deal with politics, social and economic history, and the cultural and intellectual history.