The tide of democracy

This study of British shipbuilding in its heyday brings together original discussions of the organization of production, the relationship between leaders and members of the industry’s key trade union, and the involvement of that union in wider labour politics.

This study of British shipbuilding in its heyday brings together original discussions of the organization of production, the relationship between leaders and members of the industry’s key trade union, and the involvement of that union in wider labour politics.

This comprehensive study examines British shipbuilding and industrial relations from 1870 to 1950, addressing economic, social and political history to provide an holistic approach to industry, trade-unionism and the early history of the Labour Party.Examining the impact of new machinery, of independent rank-and-file movements and of craft and trade unions, The Tide of Democracy provides an authoritative account of industrial action in shipyards in the period and their effect on the birth and development of the Labour Party. This volume is clearly presented, elegantly written and suffused with a distinctly human touch which brings the technical material to life. Unique in the combined attention it gives to Scottish and English history, and drawing upon an impressive range of primary sources, this volume will be indispensable for specialist researchers, undergraduates and postgraduate students.

List of figuresAcknowledgmentsList of abbreviationsIntroduction1. Markets and firms2. Management and labour3. Skills and trade unions4. The impact of machinery: hullbuilders5. The impact of machinery: outfitters6. Conclusions to Part I7. Leadership in the boilermakers' society8. Robert Knight and industrial democracy9. John Hill and the the Clyde unrest10. Conclusions to Part II11. Liberalism and socialism12. Robert Knight and the origins of the Labour Party13. Socialism and liberalism14. John Hill and an independent Labour Party15. Conclusions to Part IIIBibliographyIndex