Club Government - How the Early Victorian World was Ruled from London Clubs

In the mid-nineteenth century, many functions of British government were alleged to have taken place behind the closed doors of the secretive clubs of London's St.James's district.This phenomenon, of 'Club Government' was referenced in most major political histories of the period and yet the topic has never before enjoyed full-length, historical analysis. With an updated foreword, making use of previously-sealed club archives, and adopting a broad range of analytical techniques, this work of political and social history seeks to deepen our understanding of the distinctive and novel ways in which British political culture evolved in this period. The book concludes that historians have hugely underestimated the extent of club influence on `high politics' in Westminster, and though the reputation of clubs for intervening in elections was exaggerated, the culture and secrecy involved in gentleman's clubs had a huge impact on Britain and the British Empire.

Product details

• Authors: Seth Alexander Thevoz, Seth Alexander (Nuffield College Thevoz, Thevoz Seth Alexander
• Publisher: Tauris, I.B.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Release: 30.09.2019, delayed
• EAN: 9781838604660
• ISBN: 978-1-83860-466-0
• No. of pages: 336
• Series: International Library of Colon
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Geosciences > Geography; Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political theories and the history of ideas; London, Greater London, Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900, European History, POLITICAL SCIENCE / General, HISTORY / Modern / General, Social & cultural history, POLITICAL SCIENCE / World / European, HISTORY / Europe / Great Britain / Victorian Era (1837-1901), c 1800 to c 1900, Political corruption, Political science & theory, British & Irish history, Diplomacy, Social and cultural history, Political science and theory, 1837–1901 (Victorian period), Constitution: government & the state, Corruption in politics, government and society, Constitution: government and the state