Tariffs, Corruption, and Political Unrest

This chapter examines the historical role of tariff regimes in fostering political corruption and the backlash against them, highlighted by the shift of a young Conservative MP to the Liberal Party. It critiques the notion that tariff reform benefits the working class, asserting that it primarily serves wealthy elites, while also addressing the deeply ingrained racial prejudices in political discourse. Additionally, the chapter delves into the cultural anxieties of pre-World War I Britain, exploring how tariff debates influenced military tensions and the evolving political landscape amidst the rise of liberal free trade campaigns.

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