Author Description
In the space of less than half a century, Britain has shifted from being a virtually all-white society to a multi-racial society with important Asian and black communities. British Immigration Policy Since 1939 traces this transition, from the Second World War, through the restrictive legislation on immigration in the 1960s, to the present day.Based on a detailed examination of recently released archival material, Ian Spencer's book outlines the chronology and explores the nature of Asian and black immigration since 1939 and evaluates the role of government in regulating the movement. Spencer contends that the settlement of Asian and black people was met by a barrage of restrictive measures. He argues that Britain became a multi-racial society despite, rather than because of, the policies of both Labour and Conservative governments.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This work investigates how British immigration policy from 1939 to the present day actively resisted the development of a multi-racial society. Ian R. G. Spencer, a scholar of modern British history, utilizes recently declassified archival documents to construct a chronological analysis of post-war migration. He argues that the emergence of Asian and black communities in Britain occurred in direct opposition to the restrictive legislative frameworks implemented by successive Labour and Conservative administrations. By evaluating government regulatory mechanisms, the text challenges the narrative of state-led integration.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- A chronological analysis of British immigration policy spanning from the Second World War through the 1960s to the modern era.
- An examination of the legislative measures used to restrict the settlement of Asian and black populations.
- Primary source evidence derived from recently released government archival materials.
- A critical evaluation of the role of both Labour and Conservative governments in shaping demographic shifts.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Historians and political scientists frequently cite this work as a rigorous examination of the tension between state policy and social reality in post-war Britain. The text is recognized for its heavy reliance on archival data, making it a standard reference for those studying the mechanics of British immigration control.
Page Count:
0
Publication Date:
1997-01-01
Publisher:
Routledge
ISBN-10:
0203285093
ISBN-13:
9780203285091
History
Sociology
Great Britain
British History
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