Factors Leading to the Social reforms in 1906- 1911 in Brita
Factors Leading to the Social reforms in 1906- 1911 in Britain
To understand the factors that led to the introduction of liberal social reforms, it is perhaps essential we firstly have a firm understanding and knowledge of their origin. We must be aware of the social and economical status of Britain at the time and how this also helped shape and influence their introduction.
Many Historians believe that several factors have helped in the culmination of these reforms and within this essay I will attempt to illustrate and dissect these factors by re-tracing and capturing an impression of early twentieth century Britain.
To be simplistic and incorporating my own personal opinion, the social reforms where a fabrication of ‘New liberalism’ and to some extent salvation from social degradation and perhaps arguably ‘Classical liberalism’. These ‘New changed, liberalist views’ flooded the dawn of the twentieth century and where influenced by such social surveys carried out by men like Booth and Rowntree. Both revealed the extent to which poverty had infiltrated the country, as studies show
‘The proportions arrived at for the total population living in poverty in York and London respectively were ‘London 30.7%, York 27.84%’.
Rowntree concluded from his studies a definition of the term ‘Physical efficiency’ meaning to be ‘Functioning physically and effectively’. He later went on to declare
‘The position of the lowest paid labourer is one of particular hopelessness, the vicious circle is complete’.
The New liberalists where very much against this circle, they argued against limitations and believed this ‘born into poverty’ infliction was not fair. They where very much supportive of opportunities and believed that society should encourage the poor to succeed instead of condemning them to this inherited lifestyle.
It is important to perhaps point out that the reality behind these social surveys proved significant in the formation of ‘New Liberalism’.
New ideology emerged from these findings, questions where asked of the effectiveness of the ‘Laissez Faire’ policy. New attitudes to the poor and society materialized through New Liberalism, people began to wake up to reality and understand that poverty for some was like a vicious hereditary disease, inescapable despite attempting to.
They proposed a modernistic view in which they believed there was a right for the state to intervene in people’s lives under certain circumstances. This idea was fortified by results from experiments within...