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.

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InhaltsangabeList of Tables. Notes on Contributors. Introduction. 1. The Impact of the Second World War: Paul Addison (University of Edinburgh). 2. The Impact of the Cold War: Harriet Jones (University of London). 3. Population and the Family: Pat Thane (Institute of Historical Research, University of London). 4. Cities, Suburbs, Countryside: Mark Clapson (University of Westminster). 5. Class: Arthur Marwick (Open University). 6. Immigration and Racism: Wendy Webster (University of Central Lancaster). 7. Sport and Recreation: Richard Holt (De Montfort University). 8. Youth Culture: Bill Osgerby (London Metropolitan University). 9. Sexuality: Lesley A. Hall (Wellcome Library for the History and Understanding of Medicine, London, and University College London). 10. Economic 'Decline' in Post-war Britain: Jim Tomlinson (University of Dundee). 11. The Transformation of the Economy: Hugh Pemberton (University of Bristol). 12. The Geography of Economic Change: P. W. Daniels (University of Birmingham). 13. Living Standards and Consumption: Ina Zweiniger-Bargielowska (University of Illinois, Chicago). 14. Gender: Change and Continuity: Dolly Smith Wilson (Boston College, Massachusetts). 15. Welfare, Poverty and Social Inequalities: Janet Fink (Open University). 16. Education: Roy Lowe (University of London). 17. Health: John Welshman (Lancaster University). 18. Rewriting the Unwritten Constitution: Andrew Blick (Political Researcher). 19. The Secret State: Richard J. Aldrich (University of Nottingham). 20. Rethinking the 'Rise and Fall' of Two-Party Politics: Steven Fielding (University of Salford). 21. The Rise and Disintegration of the Working Classes: Robert Taylor (European Trade Union Confederation, Brussels). 22. The Growth of Social Movements: Holger Nehring (University of Sheffield). 23. Civil Society: Nicholas Deakin (London School of Economics and Political Science). 24. The Politics of Devolution: Christopher Harvie (Tübingen University, Baden-Württemberg). 25. The Politics of Northern Ireland: Thomas Hennessey (Canterbury Christ Church University College). 26. Britain in the World Economy: Catherine R. Schenk (University of Glasgow). 27. The End of Empire: Bill Schwarz (Queen Mary College, University of London). 28. The Anglo-American 'Special Relationship': Michael F. Hopkins and John W. Young (Liverpool Hope University College; University of Nottingham). 29. Britain and Europe: James Ellison (Queen Mary College, University of London). 30. British Defence Policy: Simon Ball (University of Glasgow). Select Bibliography. Index

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