Pulpits, Politics and Public Order in England, 1760–1832

Robert Hole (Author)

9780521893657, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 20 May 2004

344 pages
22.8 x 15.4 x 2.1 cm, 0.534 kg

This book explores the relationship between religion and politics in England from the accession of George III to the First Reform Bill, considering the political and social ideas of Catholics, Anglicans, Methodists, Dissenters, deists and atheists. It examines the effect of the French Revolution on Christian political and social theory as well as reactions to the American Revolution, riots and disorder, economic and social education, secularisation, 'Blasphemy and Sedition', the growth of atheism, and the Reform of the Constitution in 1826–32. Major figures such as Burke, Paine, Wollstonecraft, Coleridge, Bentham and Wesley are considered, but popular, everyday arguments are also analysed. The book examines Christian views on political obligation and the right of rebellion, and suggests that religion was used as a means of social control to maintain public order and stability in a rapidly changing society.

Acknowledgements
List of abbreviations
Introduction
Part I. Pre-Revolution, 1760–1789: 1. Christian political theory
2. The religious context
3. The political context
4. The philosophical context
5. Case study I: William Paley
6. Secularisation and social theory
Part II. Revolution, 1789–1804: 7. The political and social context
8. Political theory and the rights of man
9. Social theory and the nature of man
10. Christianity, infidelity and government
11. Case study II: Samuel Horsley
Part III. Post-Revolution, 1804–1832: 12. Political and social theory
13. Establishment and social control
14. Blasphemy and sedition
15. Case study III: William Hone
16. Emancipation and reform
Conclusion
Bibliographical appendix
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Early modern history: c 1450/1500 to c 1700 [HBLH], British & Irish history [HBJD1]