Mapping the State - (New Historical Perspectives) by Martin Spychal (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Mapping the State leads to a fundamental rethinking of the 1832 Reform Act by demonstrating how boundary reform underpinned this turning point in the development of the British political nation. Using significant new archival discovery, digital methods and 'big data', it provides a major reassessment of why and how the 1832 Reform Act passed, its impact on reformed politics both at Westminster and in the constituencies, and its significance to the expansion of the modern British state.

Review Quotes

'A meticulously researched and fascinating study of the ways in which the charting of constituency boundaries transformed the electoral landscape in 1832 and thereafter. Mapping the State offers a unique insight into a pivotal moment in the shaping of modern politics and reminds us that where voters are situated may matter more than their numbers.'
-Sarah Richardson, Professor of Modern British History, University of Glasgow, UK

'An original study that excavates the important role of the boundary commissioners in shaping the 1832 Reform Act and post-reform electoral politics. Based on deep archival research and methodologically innovative, Spychal's book opens up a significant new dimension for all those interested in the evolution of British democracy.'
-Henry Miller, Vice-Chancellor's Fellow, Department of the Humanities, Northumbria University, UK

About the Author