Focusing on the importance of Martineau's contribution to the development of the early Victorian press, this book highlights the degree to which the public quarrel between her and Dickens in the mid-1850s represented larger fissures within nineteenth-century liberalism.
The book explores the critical role of higher education in modern economies, emphasizing its necessity for national economic performance and accessibility for all. It addresses the challenges of funding mass higher education, highlighting the competition for public resources against pensions, healthcare, and other educational levels. The discussion centers on the financial implications and strategies for sustaining a high-quality university system that benefits society as a whole.