A study of the many changes in women’s lives in an English town over the course of a century. This book shines a light on women’s lives in and around the English town of Watford, in the home and at work, in traditional rural employment or in dressmaking, textiles, and the silk industry. The lives of local women are put into the context of the national movement to address inequality and injustice, highlighting the often difficult existences of those employed in domestic service; the impact of poor housing and terrible poverty on women; efforts to redress the situation; and changes in social hierarchy. Individual stories show that there were opportunities for women to take control of their lives, some excelling as entrepreneurs—owning shops, pubs, and other businesses. During this time of immense social change, pioneering women within the community set the example for others to follow, whether as political activists and suffragettes connecting with the feminist issues of their times or as prominent members of the community dedicating their lives to the needs of others. The region was notable for fostering the talents of numerous prominent artists, Lucy Kemp-Welch, the illustrator of Black Beauty and creator of many recognizable war propaganda posters being the most famous, and women in the sciences, such as Harriette Chick, who worked in the Lister Institute in Elstree. Also addressed in this book are the growth of education for girls, and how contributions during times of crisis—from nursing to wartime factory work—led to the reappraisal of the role of women in postwar Britain.

The suffrage movement remains the largest autonomous political movement of women in British history. The Routledge Companion to British Women’s Suffrage provides a comprehensive survey of state-of-the-art contemporary scholarship on this movement. Arranged across four thematic sections, this volume explores the range of developments in suffrage research since the 1990s, combining a range of scholars’ unique insights to offer a much more complete picture of the British suffrage campaign. Each section provides a thoroughgoing overview of different approaches that have underpinned studies of the British suffrage movement, across disciplines ranging from history and gender studies, to literature, digital humanities, and sociology. Sections also explore the various aspects of the material cultures of the suffrage campaign, the variety of suffrage organisations, and the legacies of the movement. The Routledge Companion to British Women’s Suffrage is an essential handbook for those studying the history, sociology, and politics of the suffrage movement, with a valuable insight into contemporary developments in research.

Introduction to Politics and Society comprehensively demonstrates how key theoretical and concepts in political science have foretold, rationalized and shaped politics in the contemporary world. Students will discover the meaning of `power′, `authority′, `coercion′, `surveillance′ and `legitimacy′. The ideas of Weber, Marx, Foucault, Bauman, Sennett, Habermas, Baudrillard and Giddens are explained with clarity and precision. Well-chosen examples, many from popular political culture illustrate the relevance of fundamental theoretical debates. This book also examines: - The central tendencies in the movement from modern to post-modern society - The significance, strengths and weaknesses of `Third Way′ politics - The decline of organized party politics - The development of new social movements Developed with an understanding of the requirements of students and lecturers, this book is an extraordinary resource for undergraduate teaching and study needs. It will be required reading for undergraduate students in sociology, politics and social policy.

Contains the 4th session of the 28th Parliament through the session of the Parliament.