The emergence of libertarian conservatism in Britain, 1867-1914
This thesis considers conservatismâs response to Collectivism during a period of crucial political and social change in the United Kingdom and the Anglosphere. The familiar political equipoise was disturbed by the widening of the franchise and the emergence of radical new threats in the form of New Liberalism and Socialism. Some conservatives responded to these changes by emphasising the importance of individual liberty and the preservation of the existing social structure and institutions. In fighting against Collectivism they were brought into an alliance with both disillusioned Old Liberals, and the more radical Individualist followers of Herbert Spencer. This thesis will engage with an existing historiographical debate which questions how authentically conservative this form of libertarian politics actually was. William Gladstoneâs open support of Irish Home Rule in 1886 was âthe straw that broke the camelâs backâ for many Old Liberals who had grown increasingly disillusioned with the direction of their party since at least the start of Gladstoneâs second ministry in 1880. Naturally many of these eÌmigreÌs brought much of their Old Liberal principles into the Unionist fold. But was libertarian
Paynter, Alastair
The emergence of libertarian conservatism in Britain, 1867-1914. This thesis considers conservatismâs response to Collectivism during a period of crucial political and social change in the United Kingdom and the Anglosphere. The familiar political equipoise was disturbed by the widening of the franchise and the emergence of radical new threats in the form of New Liberalism and Socialism. Some conservatives responded to these changes by emphasising the importance of individual liberty and the preservation of the existing social structure and institutions. In fighting against Collectivism they were brought into an alliance with both disillusioned Old Liberals, and the more radical Individualist followers of Herbert Spencer. This thesis will engage with an existing historiographical debate which questions how authentically conservative this form of libertarian politics actually was. William Gladstoneâs open support of Irish Home Rule in 1886 was âthe straw that broke the camelâs backâ for many Old Liberals who had grown increasingly disillusioned with the direction of their party since at least the start of Gladstoneâs second ministry in 1880. Naturally many of these eÌmigreÌs brought much of their Old Liberal principles into the Unionist fold. But was libertarian
emergence libertarian conservatism britain considers conservatism response period crucial political_social change united kingdom familiar political disturb widen franchise emergence radical new threat form new liberalism socialism conservative respond change emphasise_importance individual liberty preservation exist social_structure institution fight bring alliance disillusion old radical individualist follower herbert spencer engage exist historiographical_debate question authentically conservative form libertarian politics actually william open support irish home rule break back many old grow increasingly disillusion direction party since least start second ministry naturally many bring much old liberal principle unionist fold libertarian