Our sense of history shapes how we think about ourselves. One of the distinguishing features of the left in Britain is that it holds to a remorselessly bleak and miserabilist view of our recent political history -- one in which Margaret Thatcher's election in 1979 marked the start of a still-continuing fall from political grace made evident by the triumph of a free market get-what-you-can neoliberal ideology, dizzying levels of inequality, social decay, rampant individualism, state authoritarianism, and political corruption. The left does not like what has happened to us and it does not like what we have become. Andrew Hindmoor argues that this history is wrong and self-harming. It is wrong because Britain has in many respects become a more politically attractive and progressive country over the last few decades. It is self-harming because this bleak history undermines faith in politics. Post-Brexit, post-Grenfell, and post the 2010, 2015, and 2017 general elections, things may not, right now, look that great. But looked at over the longer haul, Britain is a long way from being a posterchild for neoliberalism. Left-wing ideas and arguments have shaped and continue to shape our politics.

About the Author
Andrew Hindmoor is Professor of Politics at the University of Sheffield. He grew up in Sheffield where he currently resides, and is also an Honorary Professor at the University of Queensland. He is winner of the 2014 Harrison Prize for the best article in Political Studies and winner of the 2015 prize for the best article published in the British Journal of Politics and International Relations.

Reviews
At a time when polarised argument on social media has obscured the fact that politics is usually cast in shades of grey, [Hindmoors] nuanced case ought to be welcome. * John Harris, New Statesman *
An extraordinary timely moment to remind the world of how politics in the real world affects the ability to make positive change and how winning widespread support is essential to attaining power. * Advance praise from The Rt Hon. the Lord Blunkett, former Home Secretary and Professor of Politics in Practice *
The Left prides itself on its intellectual optimism but Andrew Hindmoor shows convincingly that the opposite is the case. This important book isolates the tendency of the political Left to regard its own nation with pessimism. * Advance praise from Phil Collins, The Times *
The future of social democracy depends on better understanding its past. Andy Hindmoor provides a clear-headed rather than optimistic assessment, backed by convincing evidence and careful analysis. His commentary will help a great deal in the process of rediscovering what is the social democratic project and how it could be delivered. * Advance praise from Gerry Stoker, University of Southampton and University of Canberra *



Book Information
ISBN 9780198805991
Author Andrew Hindmoor
Format Hardback
Page Count 304
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 534g
Dimensions(mm) 241mm * 162mm * 29mm