Michael Young, Social Science, and the British Left, 1945-1970

Michael Young was a left-wing policy maker and sociologist who played a significant role in shaping British intellectual, political, and cultural life in the post-war period. He studied the social sciences to inform his political thought and was a key architect of the Labour Party's 1945 election manifesto. Young was also a prolific social innovator, founding or inspiring dozens of organizations. This book examines the relationship between social science and public policy in left-wing politics between the end of the Second World War and the end of the first Wilson government through the figure of Michael Young.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 288 pages
\n Publication date: 03 September 2020
\n Publisher: Oxford University Press
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In the aftermath of World War II, Britain experienced a significant shift in its intellectual, political, and cultural landscape. This transformative period was largely shaped by the influential left-wing policy maker and sociologist, Michael Young. Young's study of the social sciences played a pivotal role in informing his political thought and contributed to the shaping of British society during this era.

Michael Young's intellectual journey began in the 1940s when he joined the Labour Party as a policy maker. During this time, he played a crucial role in the party's 1945 election manifesto, Let Us Face the Future. Young's vision for a future Britain was rooted in his belief in social justice and equality. He recognized the importance of education, healthcare, and housing as fundamental rights for all citizens and advocated for policies that would address these issues.

In the 1950s, Young shifted his focus to sociology and published a landmark study titled "Family and Kinship in East London." This study, co-authored with Peter Willmott, provided a detailed account of the working-class life in East London. Young's sociological insights shed light on the social and economic challenges faced by the working class and contributed to the growing understanding of social inequality in Britain.

Following the publication of "Family and Kinship in East London," Young turned his attention to a dystopian satire titled "The Rise of the Meritocracy." In this novel, Young envisioned a society in which social status was determined entirely by intelligence. He critiqued the dominant social hierarchy and proposed a merit-based system that would reward individuals based on their abilities and achievements. Young's satire was a powerful critique of the conservative values of the post-war era and a call for social change.

Beyond his academic pursuits, Michael Young was a prolific social innovator. He founded or inspired numerous organizations, including the Institute of Community Studies, the Consumers' Association (now known as Which?), the Social Science Research Council, and the Open University. Young's vision was to bring social science to the forefront of public policy and to use it as a tool for social change.

Young believed that disciplines like sociology, psychology, and anthropology could provide valuable insights into human nature and help policy makers and politicians understand the needs and aspirations of the people. He believed that by understanding human nature, policymakers could create policies that would promote social justice, equality, and prosperity for all.

This book examines the relationship between social science and public policy in left-wing politics between the end of World War II and the end of the first Wilson government. It focuses on the figure of Michael Young, exploring his intellectual and political networks, and his contributions to shaping British society during this period.

Through his prolific writings and his engagement with social science, Michael Young played a significant role in shaping British intellectual, political, and cultural life. His vision for a more just and equitable society inspired generations of activists and policymakers, and his legacy continues to be felt today.

\n Weight: 492g\n
Dimension: 148 x 222 x 25 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780198862895\n \n