Drink and British Politics Since 1830: A Study in Policy Making (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780333917824)

The issue of alcohol has never been far from British politics. Initially, governments needed to control its sale for public order reasons and because it was a major source of revenue. Then in Victorian times a powerful temperance movement arose which sought to prohibit or severely curb the 'Demon Drink'. This in turn aroused the hostility of the 'Trade' and the issue became one of fierce electoral politics. After 1890 drink was interpreted more as a social reform question and then in the First World War, after a major moral panic, far-reaching measures of direct state control were imposed in the interests of national efficiency. Later in the Twentieth century alcohol use came to be seen as an aspect of leisure and town planning and, more recently, as a health issue. Drawing upon a wide range of primary sources, John Greenaway uses the complex politics of the issue to shed light upon the changing political system and to test various theories of the policymaking process. Both historians and political scientists will be interested in this study.

Author: J. Greenaway
ISBN-10: 0333917820
ISBN-13: 9780333917824
Publisher: Palgrave MacMillan
Language: English
Published: 06/10/2003
Pages: 271
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.05lbs
Size: 8.84h x 5.46w x 0.78d

Review Citation(s):
Choice 04/01/2004 pg. 1539