Radicalism to socialism : the Leicester working class, 1860-1906
This study surveys the social, economic and political development of the Leicester working class between 1860 and 1906. Special attention is given to hosiery and footwear workers who collectively represented over 60% of the industrial workforce in 1891. It is argued that as these two trades were still based on an outwork system well into the last quarter of the century, working practices and cultural activities of the workforce still manifested many aspects of an artisanal milieu. Furthermore, the inefficiency of capitalist control endemic to the outwork system assisted in retaining a strong element of independence in working class political activity. Thus Leicester working class Liberalism was always staunchly radical. Centralisation and mechanisation in hosiery and footwear challenged existing working practices and led to widespread discontent. This unrest also had fundamental political implications. It is argued that Liberalism began to weaken in Leicester when it became identified with a group of employers active in imposing factory production. It is further argued that the process of political change amongst the working class was also partly the product of Leicester's indigenous popular radical tradition.
Lancaster, Bill
DA Great Britain
Radicalism to socialism : the Leicester working class, 1860-1906. This study surveys the social, economic and political development of the Leicester working class between 1860 and 1906. Special attention is given to hosiery and footwear workers who collectively represented over 60% of the industrial workforce in 1891. It is argued that as these two trades were still based on an outwork system well into the last quarter of the century, working practices and cultural activities of the workforce still manifested many aspects of an artisanal milieu. Furthermore, the inefficiency of capitalist control endemic to the outwork system assisted in retaining a strong element of independence in working class political activity. Thus Leicester working class Liberalism was always staunchly radical. Centralisation and mechanisation in hosiery and footwear challenged existing working practices and led to widespread discontent. This unrest also had fundamental political implications. It is argued that Liberalism began to weaken in Leicester when it became identified with a group of employers active in imposing factory production. It is further argued that the process of political change amongst the working class was also partly the product of Leicester's indigenous popular radical tradition.
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