12. The most important changes in my country during the last 100 years.

This essay concerns the main changes in England, many of which apply to the whole of Britain.

In the 1980s England was at the peak of her power, the strongest and most influential country in the world. Military conquest, followed by trade, had created the most far-flung empire the world had ever known. The development of the colonies under this influence fostered heavy industry and consumer manufacturing, enormously enriching the home country. Britain 'ruled the waves'. Yet the seeds of decline were already present. From 1890 to 1914 the power of Germany was increasing. Between the two world wars, Britain managed to retain her empire, but from 1945 onwards the constituent countries gradually achieved independence. British markets declined, and the emphasis shifted to the European Economic Community. By 1990 Britain had become an influential, though second rank political, financial and economic power. The country is now in constant financial trouble, and currently trade is in deep recession. In the past century, England has progressively moved into a situation of decline.

Secondly, as in Germany, though to a lesser degree, saturation bombing in World War 2 destroyed large sections of the industrial infrastructure. Ironically, this facilitated the rebuilding of factories in the Ruhr after Marshall Aid had restored the German economy. In both countries the demand for steel and coal fell drastically, paving the way for the new electronic and high-tech industries. However, whereas the Germans retained and modernised their old infrastructure, England neglected hers. This, coupled with years of strike action, only terminated in the Thatcher regime, weakened the British economy, while the Germans strengthened theirs. The overall result is that, although still influential abroad, England has become a second-class power, living under the shadow of the USA, and currently unable to maintain her position in the Exchange Rate Mechanism of the European Economic Community.

However, all is not doom and gloom. Most though not all of the changes in England's social fabric have been improvements. In late Victorian and Edwardian days, class structures were rigid, and maintained both by the abject poverty of the working classes and by religious and moral pressures.

The terrible slaughter of the 1914 — 18 war largely remoyed the latter pressure, but inter war poverty, the slump of 1929 — 31, and the absence of any effective social security beyond a meager  dole served to keep the class system going. It was finally broken by the war of 1939 — 45. Class remains to this day, but the old barriers were eroded by the new entrepreneurial climate which climaxed in the 1980s. The post-war introduction of the Welfare State dramatically improved the  lot of the poor, the concept being that the state would care for them 'from the cradle to the grave'. This probably prevented a revolution in England. All manner of state benefits, from maternity grants and child allowances to funeral grants are now available to all whose income falls below a reasonable subsistence level. This modern care for the poor, the elderly and the handicapped is the most important social change of the century. Before 1939, the very poor ended up in the workhouse, the sick went on a 'doctor's panel' — virtually a charity — and the unemployed received a dole which scarcely bought them food.

A century ago, rail, which had displaced the stage coach, provided a country-wide network. However, in the 30s the car and the lorry were assuming greater importance. After the Second World War, Lord Beaching cut the rail network drastically and this process has continued, as roads have been improved and a nation-wide road grid built. Apart from the heaviest goods, such as coal, products are moved by container lorry, and the motor-car has become the common man's mode of transport. This has created a new set of problems; difficult parking and crowded city roads. Air travel, both internal and external, has facilitated movement both for business and pleasure, and has transformed the holiday industry.

A century ago, education was almost the sole prerogative of those who could afford it, but gradually a compulsory state system has been established. This has its merits and demerits, and reforming measures are currently being taken. The same principle applies to the National Health Service. Medical advance has been such that the general health of the nation has improved beyond all recognition.

A significant change for the worse has been the gradual erosion of the 'nuclear' family. Today, there is little social disapproval of unmarried couples living together. Divorce is relatively easy. Related problems affecting children have consequently increased. Again, bad architectural thinking has done much to break down neighbourliness and encourage crime.

Not all the changes have been for good, but if I had to choose, I would infinitely prefer to live in 1992 than in 1892!