The Problem of Influence: Print, Cities, Fashion and ‘Society’

  • Marjorie Morgan
Chapter
Part of the Studies in Modern History book series (SMH)

Abstract

The notion that people are products of imitation is not particularly threatening as long as society’s main agents of influence are identifiable and regarded as beneficial. In England’s small-scale, pre-industrial communities where personal ties were strong and everyone knew everyone else, the dominant form of persuasion was personal. This face-to-face influence was considered safe and conducive to stability because it was linked directly to sanctioned authority. That is, accepted authority figures whose social positions and personal identities were known had a monopoly on influence. They included clergymen and parents, as well as those wielding political power. Even members of Parliament and central government officials who spent considerable time in London were known or at least recognised, out in the countryside. They had rural estates where they resided and mingled among local folk during much of the year.

Keywords

Eighteenth Century Late Eighteenth Century City Dweller Anonymous Community Triple Decker 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Notes

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Copyright information

© Marjorie Morgan 1994

Authors and Affiliations

  • Marjorie Morgan
    • 1
  1. 1.Southern Illinois UniversityCarbondaleUSA

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