Foreigner kings as local kingmakers: how the ‘unusual’ marginalization of conservative political groups occurred in pre-Industrial Revolution Britain

Abstract Building on the Hodgson–Mokyr debate in this journal (Volume 18, Issue 1, 2022), article discusses how modern economic growth occurred pre-Industrial Revolution Britain, with a particular focus coalition politics and marginalization of conservative political groups – vetoers to change. Such was unusual before 19th century, when monarchs had substantial power land-based were their main allies. This finds source English exceptionalism unique system non-imperial personal union that Britain then Dutch Republic Hanover. Under system, foreigner chose local ally based security needs home states. It created significant disadvantage Tories, incumbent groups, while providing window opportunity for Whigs, opposition group supported by new commercial interests, form Crown. The long absence Tories from resulted incorporation constituencies into Whig-led regime, making traditional interests regime's ‘junior partners’, instead formidable competitors which case elsewhere at time.