The Economic Origin of Political Parties

This Element examines how the changing economic basis of nineteenth century Britain contributed to the development of British politics.

Christopher Kam (Author), Adlai Newson (Author)

9781108828420, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 7 January 2021

75 pages
22.8 x 15.1 x 0.6 cm, 0.165 kg

This Element examines how the changing economic basis of parliamentary elections in nineteenth century England and Wales contributed to the development of modern parties and elections. Even after the 1832 Reform Act expanded the British electorate, elections in many constituencies went uncontested, party labels were nominal, and candidates spent large sums treating and bribing voters. By the end of the century, however, almost every constituency was contested, candidates stood as representatives of national parties, and campaigns were fought on the basis of policies. We show how industrialization, the spread of literacy, and the rise of cheap newspapers, encouraged candidates to enter and contest constituencies. The increased expense that came from fighting frequent elections in larger constituencies induced co-partisan candidates to form slates. This imparted a uniform partisan character to parliamentary elections that facilitated the emergence of programmatic political parties.

1. Introduction
2. The Onset of electoral contestation
3. The economics of elections
4. Slate formation
5. Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Economics of industrial organisation [KCD], Economics [KC], Central government [JPQ], Political parties [JPL], Political leaders & leadership [JPHL], Political structure & processes [JPH], Politics & government [JP], Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900 [HBLL], British & Irish history [HBJD1]