Wanting and having: Popular politics and liberal consumerism in England, 1830–70

Synopsis

Argues That The Rise Of Capitalist Consumerism In 19th-century England Was Not A Neutral And Progressive Transformation But Involved Heated Political Contests Based On Competing Visions Of Economy And Society. 'a New Order Of Things' : Mapping Popular Politics Onto Consumption -- 'rejoicing In Potatoes' : The Politics Of Consumption In England During The 'hungry Forties' -- 'the Andover Cannibalism' : Popular Entitlement And The New Poor Law -- 'yours In The Cause Of Democracy' : Democratic Discourse And The Chartist Challenge -- 'consumers Of Their Own Productions' : Popular Radicalism And Consumer Organising -- 'please, Sir, I Want Some More' : Dickens On Working-class Scarcity And Middle-class Excess -- 'the Sublime Of The Bazaar' : The Religion Of Free Trade And The Making Of Modern Consumerism -- 'the Lion Turned Into A Lamb' : The Consumer Politics Of Popular Liberalism -- Epilogue : 'the Age Of Veneer' : The Limits Of Liberal Consumerism. Peter Gurney. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.