This book is an innovative appraisal of Edwardian Liberalism and the 1905-15 Liberal governments. Making extensive use of new archival research the volume identifies the major concerns of Liberals in the first two decades of the twentieth century and explores how policy-making was related to conflicting definitions of Liberal ideology.
Acknowledgements Introduction PART 1: GOVERNMENT AND PARTY Leadership The Party in Parliament The Party outside Parliament PART 2: FOREIGN, DEFENCE AND COLONIAL POLICY Foreign Policy Defence Policy Colonial Policy PART 3: LIBERALS AND THE UNITED KINGDOM The Background to Irish Home Rule The Home Rule Moment PART 4: LIBERALISM AND DEMOCRACY The House of Lords Franchise Reform PART 5: A NONCONFORMIST PARTY? Nonconformity and Liberalism Churhc versus Chapel The Moral Agenda The Religious Context of Edwardian Liberalism PART 6: THE ECONOMY AND FINANCE The Meaning of Free Trade The State and the Economy National Taxation PART 7: SOCIAL REFORM AND LABOUR RELATIONS Social Reform Labour Relations PART 8: EPILOGUE: A LIBERAL WAR? The Decision of War Strategy and the Economy Preserving Liberalism The End Notes and References Bibliography Index
