British History: The Liberal Reforms, 1906-1914

At the turn of the 20th century, Britain stood at a crossroads in history. Poverty, disease and inequality were severely undermining the very foundation of society. In response to these challenges, the Liberal government implemented a series of epoch-making reforms between 1906 and 1914, such as providing free school meals and health checks for children, establishing pensions for the elderly, and initiating the rudiments of social security through the National Insurance Act. These reforms were not merely policies but a declaration that the state had both responsibility and the ability to safeguard the well-being of its people. This course will take you into this crucial period to understand how the Liberal reforms transformed the relationship between the state and its citizens and set the stage for Britain's journey towards a welfare state.

This course will be led by Dr. Alexandre Loktionov, a distinguished scholar with profound academic expertise. He is currently a Research Fellow at Christ’s College, as well as a Research Fellow at the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research and the Institute for Oriental and Classical Studies at HSE University in Russia.

In the course, Dr. Alex will lead us to explore and reflect on:

• To what extent did the Liberal Reforms succeed in tackling poverty and inequality?
• Did these reforms reflect genuine social concern, or were they driven by political pressures such as the rise of the Labour Party?
• How did the reforms transform the role of the state in everyday life?
• What lessons might contemporary societies draw from this period about balancing state responsibility and individual freedom?

Join us for this journey into the early 20th century, where policy, politics, and people intertwined to shape the foundations of modern Britain. Don’t miss the chance to explore, question, and discover new perspectives together with Dr. Alex!

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