Author Description
A study of the political philosophy of Herbert Spencer, this book examines the thought of the man considered by many to be the greatest philosopher of Victorian Britain, and the ideas of the Individualists, a group of political thinkers inspired by him to uphold the policy of laissez-faire during the 1880s and 1890s. Despite their important contribution to nineteenth-century political debate, these thinkers have been neglected by historians, who Taylor argues have concentrated instead on the advocates of an enhanced role for government in economic and social affairs. Offering the first comprehensive view of free-market conservatism in an historical context, Taylor provides an original perspective on Spencer's political philosophy as well as the nature of late Victorian political argument in general.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This book investigates the political philosophy of Herbert Spencer and the influence of the Individualist movement on late Victorian political discourse. Michael W. Taylor, a scholar of nineteenth-century political thought, utilizes primary source documents and historical analysis to challenge the prevailing academic focus on collectivist trends. He argues that the Individualists, who championed laissez-faire policies during the 1880s and 1890s, represent a significant yet overlooked tradition in British political history.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- An examination of Herbert Spencer's core political theories and their evolution.
- A detailed history of the Individualist movement during the late Victorian period.
- Analysis of the ideological conflict between laissez-faire proponents and advocates of state intervention.
- A comprehensive overview of free-market conservatism within its specific nineteenth-century historical context.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Scholars recognize this work as a significant contribution to the study of Victorian political thought, particularly for its recovery of neglected intellectual traditions. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose and the thoroughness of Taylor's archival research.
Page Count:
292
Publication Date:
1992-04-02
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0198202393
ISBN-13:
9780198202394
Biography
Philosophy
History
Individualism
Victorian Era
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