How have political systems evolved since the Victorian era?

The quality of political debate in Victorian Britain, in newspapers and in both houses of parliament, was also very high. The struggle for political supremacy between William Gladstone and Benjamin Disraeli in the late 1860s and 1870s represents perhaps the most sophisticated political duel in the nation's history. read more

The Victorian era witnessed significant reform of the political system. The Second Reform Act, passed in 1867, widened the electorate to include any man who either owned a house or paid rent of more than £10 a year, and also gave the vote to rural men owning very small parcels of land. Women remained unable to vote. read more

Part VII. MOVEMENTS SINCE HEGEL TO THE PRESENT Chap. III. British Philosophy in the Victorian Era. There has been a tendency in some quarters to speak slightingly of the general culture of Britain during that portion of last century styled the Victorian Era. This judgment seems to be hardly in accordance with facts. read more