Liberal Social Reform

Old Liberalism: The role of the state is small in the social sphere because there is little they can do to help the people.

New Liberalism: Society is made of people working together so the state needs to judge the needs of individuals and society.

Old Liberalism: Did not believe in government spending, particularly for social reform.

New Liberalism: The state needs to correct the flaws in the economic system

Old Liberalism: Did not want to intervene on the life of the public- believed in removing obstacles to businesses. Taxes should be low do people as free to spend their money as they liked.

New Liberalism: Taxes should be raised to pay for schemes- progressive taxation to redistribute wealth.

• Social services should be paid for by contribution.
• Goal= to enable the working class to achieve a middle class lifestyle

• Social services should be paid for by contribution.
• Goal= to enable the working class to achieve a middle class lifestyle

Political Pragmatism

• because of the competition of the Conservative reforms/policies
• Socialist ideas gained popularity in 1880s- working classes wanted change

Humanitarian Concern

• the social research of Rowntree and Booth- people are so far in poverty that only government help can save them
• To improve national efficiency

• Britain's economy less secure- international competition- needed change of policy
• Local government intervention was successful- could work on a larger scale
• 'Unproductive' wealth already taxed- needed to raise money from tax (taxing rich)- death duties

Humanitarian Concern

• Particularly concerned about the old- believes in Old Age Pensions
• The poor cannot survive without the State's help

Political Pragmatism

• Believes reforms will hold off the threat of the Labour Party
• Poverty is a disgrace to the nation- needs to win votes

Humanitarian Concern

• Reforms to help the sick, old and young
• Improve standard of living

Political Pragmatism

• Germany was successful at using social reforms- Britain needs to catch up

Poverty exposed demand for reform (humanitarian concern)

• 25% of population living in poverty
• Rowntree and Booth: old are not fit enough to work, hard for others to find jobs

Lloyd George, Asquith and Churchill (both)

• Had genuine concern to improve standards of living and get rid of poverty
• Lloyd George was a philanthropist and new liberalist who had real concern for the old

Development of New Liberalism (both)

• Conditions could no longer be tolerated- self reliance would not achieve goal quick enough

Threat of Labour Party (political pragmatism)

• Had ideas about social reform, their leader understood what it's like to come from poor background

Concern for national efficiency (political pragmatism)- Boer War, competition of Germany