Pressure from Without in Early Victorian England

Abstract

A collection of original essays on the nature and functioning of certain nineteenth century pressure groups in the years between the two Reform Acts. Before 1832, such groups were thought to be illegitimate as they disturbed the deliberative role of Parliament. The book distinguishes between pressure groups that speak for an interest (based on common economic bonds) and those that crusade for a cause (based on a common goal). Topics include the suffrage movement, the Anti-Corn Law League, and the Administrative Reform Association.