The Economic, Industrial and Social Policies of the Attlee Governments, 1945-51 (ES0025)

? Credit Points : 40 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : HCA-3-Attlee

This course is taught through 22 two-hour seminars. The course examines the main issues and factors shaping the economic and social reconstruction of Britain in the period 1945 to 1951. The Labour government elected towards the end of the Second World War nationalised major industries, established the National Health Service and the Welfare State, was faced with persistent balance of payments crises, and laid the foundations for post-war defence policy. Here, particular attention is paid to the context, considerations and processes framing its decision-making in the areas of economic and social policy. The first semester is concerned to trace the impact of wartime plans for welfare and educational reform and the actions of the Attlee governments in areas such as social insurance, health care, and housing. In the second semester, comparisons are made with the experience of economic planning and nationalisation in France, and the reasons for Britain's absence from the European Coal and Steel Community are examined. At various points, The use is made of such economic concepts as principal-agent theory and information asymmetries, along with basic micro-economic theory of pricing, ownership, monopoly, and capital investment in examining the interaction between government, industry and markets.

Entry Requirements

none

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Economic and Social History, (School of History, Classics and Archaeology, Schedule E)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Not being delivered

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 22 weeks

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Monday	16:10	18:00	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the period, students should be able to demonstrate:
- An understanding of the factors shaping policy formation in the immediate post-war years.
- An appreciation of the relevance of key economic theories to the processes of policy formation.
- An insight into current discussions on the extent of public ownership and the role of the state in providing and financing health care.
- The ability to construct arguments, coherently and cogently expressed, through written work.
- The ability to present arguments clearly and reason verbally through seminar presentations and discussions.
- Student-led seminars are intended to develop the presentation and verbal skills of participating students.
- Written assignments are intended to develop the literary skills of students and their ability to construct coherent argument and analysis.

Assessment Information

Two essays of 3000 words (one per semester), the average of which will count as 25% of the final assessment.

One three-hour degree exam which will count as 75% of the final assessment.