In the twentieth century England has lost an empire, built a welfare state, and begun to accept the idea of being part of Europe. Abroad England's relative power has declined; at home life has become 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 fourth edition of Empire to Welfare State, Professor Lloyd has 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 1992.