Lord Salisbury on Politics: A selection from his articles in the Quarterly Review, 1860-1883

Cambridge Studies in the History and Theory of Politics

by Paul Smith (Editor), Robert Gascoyne-Cecil

Leader of the Conservative party for seventeen years and prime minister for fourteen, the third Marquis of Salisbury was one of the most successful political practitioners of modern times, as well as a major international statesman. Yet he was also a prolific and pungent writer on politics. The large body of journalism which he produced during the first thirty years of his career enables us to examine in detail the views on politics and society which underlay his practical action. While his brand of Conservatism was conventional in its conclusions, it was distinguished by the highly sceptical and utilitarian mode of reasoning through which it sought to reach them, and by its insistence on a crudely conceived class struggle as the driving force of history and politics. Its central theme was hostility to 'democracy'; and when, after 1867, 'democracy' seemed to have arrived, it questioned how far the system of parliamentary government could work tolerably under the new dispensation.

Genres: Politics

396 pages, Hardcover

Published April 6, 1972

About the author

Paul Smith (born 1937) is a British historian of Victorian England. He is a former Professor of History at the University of Southampton.

Reviews

[Bakunin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book will probably only interest those who are extremely curious about politics of England during the 19th century as it is often focused on specific questions of the day. The editor comments on each of the articles and thereby provides a context for Salisburys writing. Lord Salisbury was a deep and original thinker who managed to hide this fact from the world. His writings show a clear understand of history and what conservatism means in the English context. They focus on the role of parliament in society as well as the role of the church. Salisbury is unique in that he provides the perspective of an insider (his family has been in politics at least since Elisabeths days) who uses utilitarian arguments to provide a firmer ground for traditional values (much Roger Scruton). I have gained a deeper understanding of how the world (and politics) works by studying him. He was a powerful force and managed to stay prime minister for 13 years. I sometimes bring this book out when I am feeling down and want to feel inspired as Salisbury's writing is often very witty.
If this sounds interesting then I would recommend reading Andrew Roberts wonderful biography of the man.