Labour and the Left in the 1930s

The 1930s was the 'Red Decade' of literary imagination. Yet there has seldom been a time when the influence of the British Left has been at a lower ebb.

Ben Pimlott (Author)

9780521087650, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 11 December 2008

272 pages
21 x 15 x 1.5 cm, 0.4 kg

'In view of the current world economic crisis, there has probably never been a better time to review Labour and the British Left's actions and reactions to the terrible recession of the 1930s. At the same time it is also very worthwhile reading Ben Pimlott's masterful analysis of that era.' Open History

The 1930s was the decade of the Jarrow March and the International Brigade - the 'Red Decade' of literary imagination. Yet there has seldom been a time when the influence of the British Left has been at a lower ebb. Why was this? In this book Ben Pimlott suggests answers, and challenges established myths about left-wing politics during a crucial period. Pimlott's study is concerned with the relationship between ideas and political action. The author is interested in the distinction which can be drawn between 'expressive' and 'instrumental' approaches to political behaviour, and a central theme is that the 'expressive' politics of some sections of the Left had an ironic effect of hindering the achievement of widely shared goals.

1. Introduction
Part I. Labour and the Crisis: 2. Watershed
3. Leadership
4. Fabians and Keynesians
5. Labour and the Left: the Socialist League
6. Radicalism or Socialism?
Part II. United Front: 7. Contests
8. Outside Left and the United Front
9. Labour and the United Front
10. `Unity'
Part III. Rank and File: 11. Repression
12. Revolt
13. Struggle
14. Revolution
Part IV. Alliance: 15. Popular Front
16. Labour and the Left Book Club
17. Parliamentary Alliance?
18. Cripps and the Petition Campaign
19. Labour and the War 1939–40
20. Conclusion.

Subject Areas: 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000 [HBLW], British & Irish history [HBJD1]