The Sexual Politics of the British Constitution
Buch, Englisch, 328 Seiten, Format (B × H): 156 mm x 234 mm, Gewicht: 560 g
ISBN: 978-0-691-12601-2
Verlag: Princeton University Press
Are sex scandals simply trivial distractions from serious issues or can they help democratize politics? In 1820, George IV's "royal gambols" with his mistresses endangered the Old Oak of the constitution. When he tried to divorce Queen Caroline for adultery, the resulting scandal enabled activists to overcome state censorship and revitalize reform. Looking at six major British scandals between 1763 and 1820, this book demonstrates that scandals brought people into politics because they evoked familiar stories of sex and betrayal. In vibrant prose woven with vivid character sketches and illustrations, Anna Clark explains that activists used these stories to illustrate constitutional issues concerning the Crown, Parliament, and public opinion.Clark argues that sex scandals grew out of the tension between aristocratic patronage and efficiency in government. For instance, in 1809 Mary Ann Clarke testified that she took bribes to persuade her royal lover, the army's commander-in-chief, to promote officers, buy government offices, and sway votes. Could women overcome scandals to participate in politics?This book also explains the real reason why the glamorous Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, became so controversial for campaigning in a 1784 election. Sex scandal also discredited Mary Wollstonecraft, one of the first feminists, after her death.Why do some scandals change politics while others fizzle? Edmund Burke tried to stir up scandal about the British empire in India, but his lurid, sexual language led many to think he was insane.A unique blend of the history of sexuality and women's history with political and constitutional history, Scandal opens a revealing new window onto some of the greatest sex scandals of the past. In doing so, it allows us to more fully appreciate the sometimes shocking ways democracy has become what it is today.
Autoren/Hrsg.
Fachgebiete
- Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Weltgeschichte & Geschichte einzelner Länder und Gebietsräume Geschichte einzelner Länder Europäische Länder England, UK, Irland: Regional & Stadtgeschichte
- Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Soziale Gruppen/Soziale Themen Gender Studies, Geschlechtersoziologie
- Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politische Kultur Politische Soziologie und Psychologie
- Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Spezielle Soziologie Politische Soziologie
- Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Weltgeschichte & Geschichte einzelner Länder und Gebietsräume Europäische Geschichte
Weitere Infos & Material
List of Illustrations ix
Acknowledgments xi
Abbreviations xiii
CHAPTER ONE Introduction 1
CHAPTER TWO Wilkes, Sexuality, and Liberty: How Scandal Transforms Politics 19
CHAPTER THREE Influence or Independence: Women and Elections, 1777-1788 53
CHAPTER FOUR Edmund Burke and the Begums of Oudh: Gender, Empire, and Public Opinion 84
CHAPTER FIVE Scandal in an Age of Revolution 113
CHAPTER SIX From Petticoat Influence to Women's Rights? 126
CHAPTER SEVEN The Mary Anne Clarke Affair and the System of Corruption 148
CHAPTER EIGHT Queen Caroline and the Sexual Politics of the British Constitution 177
CHAPTER NINE Sexual Scandals and Politics, Past and Present 208
Notes 225
Index 301
