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 , 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.