The Politics of the People in Eighteenth-Century BritainThis challenging and original study examines the most important aspects of popular political culture in eighteenth-century Britain. The first part explores the way the British people could influence existing political institutions or could exploit their existing powers, by looking at the role of the people in parliamentary elections, in a wide range of pressure groups, in their local urban communities, and in popular demonstrations. The second part shows how the British people became increasingly politicised during the eighteenth century and how they tried to shape or defend their political world. |
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activities authority Bill Birmingham boroughs Bristol British Burgh Cambridge campaign candidates Church civil liberties claimed clubs conservative constituencies contested defend demands disputes Dissenters E.P. Thompson economic eighteenth-century Britain election electorate England English established extra-parliamentary food riots franchise Frank O'Gorman freemen French Revolution George Rudé Gordon riots governing elite grievances H.T. Dickinson Hanoverian historians House of Commons Ibid ideology independent influence interests J.G.A. Pocock James John Brewer Joseph Priestley labour large numbers later eighteenth century Liberty and Property Linda Colley Liverpool London lower orders loyalist major Manchester merchants Michael Kammen moral natural rights Newcastle upon Tyne Nicholas Rogers Norwich Nottingham oligarchy open constituencies opposition organised parliament parliamentary reform patronage Patrons and Parties Paul Langford petitions poor Popular Disturbances Popular Politics pressure groups propaganda propertied elite protests radical Whigs religious Richard Price rioters social society Thomas Thomas Paine Tory vote voters Walpole widespread Wilkes