Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface to the first edition
- Introduction to the new edition
- Part I The setting
- Part II A world view
- Part III Toward behavior
- 6 Images and politics
- 7 The gentrification of the industrialist
- Part IV Industrialism and English values
- Appendix: British retardation – the limits of economic explanation
- Notes
- Index
7 - The gentrification of the industrialist
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 07 May 2010
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface to the first edition
- Introduction to the new edition
- Part I The setting
- Part II A world view
- Part III Toward behavior
- 6 Images and politics
- 7 The gentrification of the industrialist
- Part IV Industrialism and English values
- Appendix: British retardation – the limits of economic explanation
- Notes
- Index
Summary
I believe that the worship of material values is the fatal disease from which our age is suffering, and that, if we do not eradicate this worship, it will inevitably destroy our whole society and not even leave us any business to discuss. We must steadfastly keep on reminding ourselves all the time that material efficiency is only a means and not an end.
—Samuel Courtauld, address to the Engineers' Club, Manchester (1942)The image of an essentially rural, traditional England, and the distrust of materialism and economic change that went along with it, had practical effects on business. They kept alive a mental picture of modern, industrial England as a society of “dark, satanic mills,” neither appealing nor quite legitimate as an expression of the English way of life. Social prestige and moral approbation were to be found by using the wealth acquired in industry to escape it. This myth of England both diverted talent and energies from industry and gave a particular “gentry” cast to existing industry, discouraging commitment to a wholehearted pursuit of economic growth.
For a century and a half the industrialist was an essential part of English society, yet he was never quite sure of his place. The educated public's suspicions of business and industry inevitably colored the self-image and goals of the business community.
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- Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2004