A New Paradigm for British Labour History

Abstract

A recent trend towards ‘revisionism’ in British labour history has been characterized by a number of new emphases. First, it has seen a shift away from attempts to pin down the emergence of genuine ‘class struggle’ towards a focus on diverse experiences among groups of working people. Second, the emerging new paradigm has highlighted the importance of long-term continuities. Third, it has reminded us of the nature of the mainstream tradition of British trade unionism: basically moderate, but still capable of widespread and stubborn mobilization in defence of its own immediate interests. Overall, the work of the ‘revisionists’ has combined to shift the political significance of British labour history from a search for breakthroughs to state socialism towards a recognition of the persistence of broadly liberal, or libertarian, attitudes.