Disraelian Conservatism and Social Reform / / Paul Smith.

• Superior document: Title is part of eBook package: De Gruyter University of Toronto Press eBook-Package Archive 1933-1999
• VerfasserIn: Smith, Paul,
• Place / Publishing House: Toronto : : University of Toronto Press, , [2019]; ©1967
• Year of Publication: 2019
• Language: English
• Series: Heritage
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (376 p.)

In the evolution of the Conservative party, the period between 1866 and 1880 marks a critical stage. It is in these years that Disraeli is often held to have founded 'modern' Conservatism, by adapting the party to the necessity of broading the franchise and promoting the interests of the new working-class electors to the forefront of politics. Yet the party hardly became deeply imbued with 'Disraelian' ideas, and the vital current in its development seems to have been rather its growing understanding with the urban bourgeoisie than any raaprochement with the urban working classes. The book discusses the party's course of evolution in its Disraelian period by focusing on a central theme of 'Disraelian' Conservatism -- social reform. Dr Smith examines the role given to social reform in Conservative strategy, and the attitudes adopted by the party towards the social problems most important to the condition of the working classes, education, public health, housing, labour questions, the drink traffic, and poor relief. Finally, he gauges how far the party was affected by 'Disraelian' ideas of popular appeal on the basis of social improvement, and how far its outlook and character were being shaped in other moulds.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter -- CONTENTS -- PLATES -- PREFACE -- NOTE -- LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS USED IN REFERENCES -- Introduction -- I. 'Safe Legislative Progress', 1866-7 -- II. Leaping and Landing, 1867-8 -- III. 'The Utmost Reserve and Quietness', 1869-71 -- IV. Achilles from His Tent, 1872-4 -- V. The Condition of the People, 1874-6 -- VI. Decline and Fall, 1877 -80 -- Conclusion -- Select Bibliography -- Index