A Companion to Contemporary Britain covers the key themes and debates of 20th-century history from the outbreak of the Second World War to the end of the century.* Assesses the impact of the Second World War* Looks at Britain's role in the wider world, including the legacy of Empire, Britain's 'special relationship' with the United States, and integration with continental Europe* Explores cultural issues, such as class consciousness, immigration and race relations, changing gender roles, and the impact of the mass media* Covers domestic politics and the economy* Introduces the varied perspectives dominating historical writing on this period* Identifies the key issues which are likely to fuel future debate

List of Figures xList of Tables xiNotes on Contributors xiiiIntroduction 11 The Impact of the Second World War 3Paul Addison2 The Impact of the Cold War 23Harriet Jones3 Population and the Family 42Pat Thane4 Cities, Suburbs, Countryside 59Mark Clapson5 Class 76Arthur Marwick6 Immigration and Racism 93Wendy Webster7 Sport and Recreation 110Richard Holt8 Youth Culture 127Bill Osgerby9 Sexuality 145Lesley A. Hall10 Economic 'Decline' in Post-War Britain 164Jim Tomlinson11 The Transformation of the Economy 180Hugh Pemberton12 The Geography of Economic Change 203P. W. Daniels13 Living Standards and Consumption 226Ina Zweiniger-Bargielowska14 Gender: Change and Continuity 245Dolly Smith Wilson15 Welfare, Poverty and Social Inequalities 263Janet Fink16 Education 281Roy Lowe17 Health 297John Welshman18 Rewriting the Unwritten Constitution 315Andrew Blick19 The Secret State 333Richard J. Aldrich20 Rethinking the 'Rise and Fall' of Two-Party Politics 351Steven Fielding21 The Rise and Disintegration of the Working Classes 371Robert Taylor22 The Growth of Social Movements 389Holger Nehring23 Civil Society 407Nicholas Deakin24 The Politics of Devolution 427Christopher Harvie25 The Politics of Northern Ireland 444Thomas Hennessey26 Britain in the World Economy 463Catherine R. Schenk27 The End of Empire 482Bill Schwarz28 The Anglo-American 'Special Relationship' 499Michael F. Hopkins and John W. Young29 Britain and Europe 517James Ellison30 British Defence Policy 539Simon BallSelect Bibliography 556Index 567