Labour and socialism in Glasgow, 1880-1914 : the electoral challenge prior to democracy
From the emergence of the 'modern' Socialist movement in the 1880s through to the First World War, the majority of socialists in Britain regarded the achievement of particular reforms and the ultimate goal of Socialism itself, as being realisable only through the ballot box. The subject of this thesis is how that movement, i.e. for independent labour representation, was conducted and with what success in Glasgow prior to the First World War. The whole basis of this electoral strategy, however, is called into question by the sex and class biases inherent in the franchise system, as defined by the Reform Acts of the nineteenth century. The focus of the study falls upon local, municipal politics and particular attention is paid to the Independent Labour Party (ILP), as the largest socialist organisation and the body most associated with the movement of independent labour representation. Glasgow was chosen because of its working class complexion, the militant reputation it receive during and immediately after the First World War, and its emergence as an electoral stronghold of the Labour Party in the post-war period. To achieve its aim of securing elected representation, the ILP sought to promote alliances with
Smyth, James J.
History
Labour and socialism in Glasgow, 1880-1914 : the electoral challenge prior to democracy. From the emergence of the 'modern' Socialist movement in the 1880s through to the First World War, the majority of socialists in Britain regarded the achievement of particular reforms and the ultimate goal of Socialism itself, as being realisable only through the ballot box. The subject of this thesis is how that movement, i.e. for independent labour representation, was conducted and with what success in Glasgow prior to the First World War. The whole basis of this electoral strategy, however, is called into question by the sex and class biases inherent in the franchise system, as defined by the Reform Acts of the nineteenth century. The focus of the study falls upon local, municipal politics and particular attention is paid to the Independent Labour Party (ILP), as the largest socialist organisation and the body most associated with the movement of independent labour representation. Glasgow was chosen because of its working class complexion, the militant reputation it receive during and immediately after the First World War, and its emergence as an electoral stronghold of the Labour Party in the post-war period. To achieve its aim of securing elected representation, the ILP sought to promote alliances with
labour socialism glasgow electoral challenge prior democracy emergence_modern socialist_movement first_world_war majority socialist britain regard achievement particular reform ultimate goal socialism box subject movement independent labour representation conduct success glasgow prior first_world_war whole basis electoral strategy however call_question sex class bias inherent franchise system define reform acts focus study fall upon local municipal politics particular_attention_pay independent labour_party large socialist organisation body associate movement independent labour representation glasgow choose work_class militant reputation receive immediately first_world_war emergence electoral stronghold labour_party post_war_period achieve_aim secure elect representation seek promote alliance