Sacred Cows and Common Sense

The Symbolic Statecraft and Political Culture of the British Labour Party

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science
Cover of the book Sacred Cows and Common Sense by Tim Bale, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Tim Bale ISBN: 9780429788420
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: May 23, 2019
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Tim Bale
ISBN: 9780429788420
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: May 23, 2019
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

First published in 1999, this volume is based on interviews and research from previously unavailable party, state and private archives, this insightful volume reflects on the interaction between institutional structure and world-view that we call political culture. Using Labour’s post-war welfare policy, this informative study makes three key points:

  • The need to break down distinctions between the ‘symbolic’ and the ‘substantial’ in politics.
  • The potential of ‘Grid-Group’ or ‘Cultural’ Theory as a way of understanding party political culture.
  • The crucial but self-defeating role that welfare policy has played in Labour’s efforts to manage itself, win support and govern competently.

The well-documented research leads to the conclusion that New Labour’s much-heralded desire to ‘think the unthinkable’ about welfare is largely rhetorical if one recalls what Labour did in office rather than promised in opposition. The Government’s welfare reforms, rather than constituting a serious attempt to confront new social realities, are in fact par for the course.

Political scientists cannot ignore the new government’s past. Political historians need to appreciate the patterns woven in a welter of detail and social democratic defensiveness. By fusing a realist conception of statecraft, an ‘interpretavist’ interest in symbols and a predictive comparative model of the interaction between ideology and organisation, this authoritative work will enable readers to do just that.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

First published in 1999, this volume is based on interviews and research from previously unavailable party, state and private archives, this insightful volume reflects on the interaction between institutional structure and world-view that we call political culture. Using Labour’s post-war welfare policy, this informative study makes three key points:

The well-documented research leads to the conclusion that New Labour’s much-heralded desire to ‘think the unthinkable’ about welfare is largely rhetorical if one recalls what Labour did in office rather than promised in opposition. The Government’s welfare reforms, rather than constituting a serious attempt to confront new social realities, are in fact par for the course.

Political scientists cannot ignore the new government’s past. Political historians need to appreciate the patterns woven in a welter of detail and social democratic defensiveness. By fusing a realist conception of statecraft, an ‘interpretavist’ interest in symbols and a predictive comparative model of the interaction between ideology and organisation, this authoritative work will enable readers to do just that.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Progress in Language, with special reference to English by Tim Bale
Cover of the book Carnal Appetites by Tim Bale
Cover of the book Exploring Time and Place Through Play by Tim Bale
Cover of the book Key Philosophers in Conversation by Tim Bale
Cover of the book Modern Roots by Tim Bale
Cover of the book Frightful Stages by Tim Bale
Cover of the book Higher Education and Professional Ethics by Tim Bale
Cover of the book The Economic Development of the Third World Since 1900 by Tim Bale
Cover of the book Social Capital and Urban Networks of Trust by Tim Bale
Cover of the book Google and the Culture of Search by Tim Bale
Cover of the book Energy and the New Reality 1 by Tim Bale
Cover of the book Encyclopedia of Hinduism by Tim Bale
Cover of the book The Journals of Captain James Cook on his Voyages of Discovery by Tim Bale
Cover of the book Reflective Enquiry into Therapeutic Institutions by Tim Bale
Cover of the book Order By Accident by Tim Bale
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy