Evolution of the British Party System: 1885-1940

The roots of the modern British party system can be traced back to the late nineteenth century. In many ways, the critical watershed arrived in the mid-1880s with the culmination of development in the electoral system which inaugurated a period of so-called 'mass democracy' while eradicating the worst elements of electoral corruption and coercion. These events had profound implications for the structure and scope of party organization and for constitutional thought, as earlier notions of 'parliamentary government' were superseded by the concept of 'party government'. Over the next sixty years, the modern party system evolved with regard to both the mechanics of electoral mobilization and the nature of the underlying discourse based on cleavages of class and ideology. In this book, Robert Self Examines the evolution of the modern party system in Britain. Evolution of the British Party System, 1885-1940describes and analyzes the complex and dynamic interaction of these developments in order to explain the profound changes which took place in the nature of party system voting and electoral competition both at Westminster and in the constituencies. In doing so, Robert Self seeks to provide an accessible and comprehensive text for readers confronting a now almost overwhelming body of specialist literature on the subject.For those interested in British history. Also available in Hardcover - 0-582- 38177-0, $ 69.95Y.

Robert is Senior Lecturer in Politics at London Guildhall University.