"The English Reform Act of 1867"

Paper Summary:

This paper reviews and summarizes "The Politics of Democracy: The English Reform Act of 1867" by Gertrude Himmelfarb. More specifically, the paper discusses the Himmelfarb's position that the Reform Act of 1867 was the most significant event in British history, specifically with regard to establishing household suffrage and democratic principles.

From the Paper:

"Himmelfarb's real intentions and arguments are crystal clear. She wants to convince her readers that the Conservatives are responsible for the Reform Act, and history misrepresents their role in the affairs of the 19th century. The Liberals are not a progressive and altruistic party. She insinuates that the Conservative party is superior and works for the national interests, while Liberalism is an unstable and unimaginative ideology. Liberals see politics as a "rolling stone, uncontrollable and predictable" (Himmelfarb, 1967, p.123.). Civilisation is like the flickering flame of candle waiting to be snuffed out by the political mismanagement of the Liberal party. How, Himmelfarb asks, can such a party be responsible for the Reform Act of 1867? Only a strong and respectable party like the Tories could accomplish such a task. Although the Liberals advocated the Reform Act, Himmelfarb asserts that the "Reform Act was a Conservative measure, initiated and carried by a Conservative government"

Sample of Sources Used:

• Himmelfarb, Gertrude. (1967). The Politics of Democracy: The English Reform Act of 1867. The Journal of British Studies, 6, 97-138.

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