Politics, Finance, and the People [Hardcover]

This book traces the changes in the organization of the British economy following the War of American Independence, which unleashed a political crisis and popular movement in Britain based on demands for 'economical reform'.Preface Introduction The Foundations, 1760-70 The Rise of Economical Reform, 1770-79 The Crown, the Parties and the People, 1780 Lord North, 1780-82 The Rockingham Ministry, 1782 The Shelburne Ministry, 1782-3 The Coalition Ministry, 1783 William Pitt and Fiscal Stability, 1784-92 William Pitt and Economical Reform, 1784-88 Afterword Bibliography

'Reitan writes with great clarity and makes accessible to students as well as teachers a potentially obscure and dry subject. He rightly identifies it as central to the political debates of the time, which involved not just the high political elite, but also parts of the wider public. As a sharply focused, well-researched, and thoughtful account of a key period of economical reform, this book can be commended to a wide readership.' - Stephen Conway, American Historical Review

'Reitan's analysis is cogent and his mastery of the sources enviable. Future historians will be in his debt. This book is well furnished with all appropriate scholarly apparatus, including a most useful bibliography, and the author places it firmly in the context of other relevant historical writing from the late seventeenth century to the Victorian era. It deserves to be in the library of every student of the period.' - Roger Hainsworth, H-Albion

'For those concerned with the working of Commons' committees and the control of public expenditure, this is a valuable reference tool.' Valerie Cromwell, Parliaments, Estates and Representation

EARL REITAN is Professor of History Emeritus at Ilinois State University, USA. He is co-author of English Heritage (1988) and author of Politics, War and Empire: the Rise of Britain to a World Power, 1688-1792