Culture Wars in Britain

The Myth of Exceptionalism and the Reality of Division

Nick Hubble
Emerald
Emerald

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Paperback / softback
9781805928645
13 May 2026
£16.99
eBook (PDF)
9781805928614
22 April 2026
£16.99
eBook (ePub)
9781805928638
22 April 2026
£16.99

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  • Description
  • Contents
  • About

The term "culture wars" has taken centre stage in British social and political discourse, characterized by deep divides over values, identity, and sovereignty. These conflicts, driven by class and emancipatory struggles, continue to evolve, highlighting critical divisions over issues such as Brexit, Scottish independence, and attitudes toward the monarchy.

Nick Hubble reframes the debate, demonstrating how British culture wars are both unique and interconnected with broader global trends. They explore how cultural divisions shaped British society over the past century, challenging the pervasive narrative of British exceptionalism. Drawing on sources like the British Social Attitudes surveys, political studies, and even literary works such as those by George Orwell, the book traces the legacy of social liberalization and the authoritarian counter-revolution that has emerged in response. With clarity and nuance, Hubble unpacks the ideological dynamics behind terms like "identity politics" and "woke liberalism," offering a fresh framework for understanding the realities of cultural conflict in Britain today.

Chapter 1. Introduction: What Are Culture Wars?

  • Chapter 2. Culture, War, Class and Gender
  • Chapter 3. The Break-up of Normative Britain
  • Chapter 4. The Brexit Divide
  • Chapter 5. The Culture Wars in the 2020s
  • Chapter 6. The Future of the Culture Wars

Nick Hubble is Honorary Professor of Modern and Contemporary English at Brunel University London, UK.