The Politics of Retirement in Britain, 1878–1948
Cambridge University Press
Edition: First Edition, 8/13/1998
EAN 9780521622738, ISBN10: 0521622735
Hardcover, 438 pages, 22.9 x 15.2 x 2.9 cm
Language: English
Based on much original research, this book examines in detail the emergence of retirement as a social issue in the period 1878 to 1948, focusing in particular on the evolution of state pensions. Important insights are offered into the role of key individuals, such as William Blackley, Joseph Chamberlain, and Charles Booth and interest groups, such as the Charity Organisation Society, the friendly societies, the labour movement and pensioners' organisations. Subsequent sections examine the shift to contributory pensions as part of the 'new Conservatism' of the 1920s, the debate on retirement pensions in the following decade, the treatment of old age poverty by the inter-war social surveys, and the concern over the 'burden' of an ageing population in the late 1930s. The book concludes with a radical reinterpretation of the 1942 Beveridge Report. This book promises to be the definitive history of state pensions in Britain.
Part I. The Campaign for Old Age Pensions
1. Introduction
2. The nineteenth-century background
3. Blackley, Chamberlain and Booth
4. The opposition of the Charity Organisation Society
5. The attitude of the Friendly Societies
6. The Labour Movement and the State
Part II. Contributory Pensions
7. The First World War and the 1919 Ryland Adkins committee
8. From 'all-in insurance' to contributory pensions
Labour's lost opportunity
9. Neville Chamberlain, the 'New Conservatism' and the 1925 Act
Part III. The Debate on Retirement Pensions
10. Labour and retirement pensions in the late 1920s
11. PEP and retirement pensions in the 1930s
an ageing population
12. Poverty surveys
Part IV. The Beveridge 'Revolution'
13. The pensions crisis of the late 1930s
14. All-party pressure in the late 1930s
the Treasury enquiry and the 1940 Act
15. The origins and working of the Beveridge Committee
16. After the Beveridge report, 1942–8
17. Conclusion.
‘Macnicol’s work is an outstanding example of how the study of social policy illuminates modern British history.’ Albion
‘A remarkable feat of scholarship. It presents an array of complex and detailed material within a narrative which is always readable and at times compelling. This will be the definitive history of state pensions in Britain.’ Professor Alan Deacon, Professor of Social Policy, University of Leeds
‘The Politics of Retirement in Britain is bound to become an oft-cited work among historians, gerontologists, social-welfare analysts, and social scientists concerned with the evolution of the British welfare state.’ Professor Andrew Achenbaum, Professor of History, University of Michigan
‘Better than any other study I have read … Macnicol excels, adding much to the public knowledge, and hopefully to the political debate … John Macnicol’s book will provide much help to those wishing to keep the Government on course.’ Frank Field, The Independent
‘… a monumental and highly detailed policy history with an explanation from the world of political economy.’ The Gerontologist
‘this book will remain the standard account of its subject for the foreseeable future … the whole analysis is both highly original and authoritative.’ Scottish Historical Review
‘Its multidisciplinary approach, linking political and intellectual history with sociological analysis, is a notable feature of this penetrating work, which seems certain to become the definitive interpretation of old age pensions in modern Britain.’ Journal of Interdisciplinary History
‘ … an excellent, meticulously researched account of the development of policy towards pensions from the early campaigns which resulted in old age pensions in 1908 through to the welfare state … an excellent book on a vitally important topic.’ Parliamentary History