For more than a century Blue Funnel ships, managed from Liverpool by Alfred Holt and Company, held a unique place in Britain's shipping industry. Starting as pioneers of cargo liners between Liverpool and the Far East in 1866, the Company maintained a fine reputation built on its vessels, crews, shore staff, and management. This book traces the origins and evolution of the Line, charting its history through both world wars, its experiences in the great depression of the 1930s, and its vigorous response to the challenge of containerisation in the 1960s. Integrated into the text are discussions of the current roles of agencies and conferences, the singular management structure, and assessments of the parts played by key individuals.

Continuing the inequality and development debate originally ushered in by Kuznets, this book extends to the possible sociopolitical disruptions of growing inequality and its ramifications for growth and development. Comparing a range of countries in Asia and beyond, the book examines the relationships between growth, distribution and politics. Theoretical and empirical studies are backed up by discussion of historical developments in this interdisciplinary study which will interest political scientists, sociologists, historians and economists.

For more than a century Blue Funnel ships, managed from Liverpool by Alfred Holt and Company, held a unique place in Britain's shipping industry. Starting as pioneers of cargo liners between Liverpool and the Far East in 1866, the Company maintained a fine reputation built on its vessels, crews, shore staff, and management. This book traces the origins and evolution of the Line, charting its history through both world wars, its experiences in the great depression of the 1930s, and its vigorous response to the challenge of containerisation in the 1960s. Integrated into the text are discussions of the current roles of agencies and conferences, the singular management structure, and assessments of the parts played by key individuals.