In the twentieth century England lost an empire, built a welfare state, and began to accept the idea of being part of Europe. Abroad her relative power declined; at home life became more tolerable for the unfortunate and more secure for the majority of the people. This book surveys these two great currents of change and examines their political and economic implications.

For this fifth edition of Empire, Welfare State, Europe, Professor Lloyd has thoroughly revised the text and brought the Bibliography up to date. He has included a completely new chapter which brings the story right up to the general election of May 2001.

T.O. Lloyd's profile page

T. O. Lloyd is Emeritus Professor of History at the University of Toronto. His publications include The British Empire (OUP 1996), Empire, Welfare State, Europe (OUP, 1970, 1979, 1986, 1993) and Empire (Hambledon and London 2001).

'a very readable book, in a style that lends itself to its subject matter' General Education

'covers an extremely difficult period in some depth, and yet goes far beyond the political aspects to study the social and cultural life' History Today

'Review from previous edition an admirable text - informed, provocative, and highly readable - for any course on twentieth-century Britiain' Journal of Modern History