E
Eastwood, David(1959– ) British historian,
political philosopher, and academic
Educated at Sandbach School, Cheshire, and St. Peter’s
College, Oxford, Eastwood distinguished himself early
as an astute historian of 18th-century British political
culture and thought. His book, Governing Rural Eng-
land, 1780–1840(1994) is a perceptive treatment of
local governance in traditional British society. East-
wood applies his vast knowledge of British political
history and culture to contemporary British politics
(for example, he was the founder of the National Cen-
tre for Public Policy in Swansea). He rose quickly in an
academic career at Oxford University (Senior Tutor,
Pembroke College) and the University of Wales (pro-
fessor of history and head of department, dean of fac-
ulty, and pro-vice chancellor), as well as fellow of the
Royal Historical Society (literary director since 1994).
In the year 2000, Eastwood became the chief executive
of the Arts and Humanities Research Board, a British
government agency concerned with research in higher
education throughout the United Kingdom. Eastwood
has lectured internationally, and his prolific writings
reflect both a keen appreciation of British political tra-
ditions and a progressive view of the future British and
Western European state.
Further Readings
Eastwood, David. Governing Rural England.London: Oxford
University Press, 1994.
———. Government and Community in the English Provinces
1700–1870.New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1997.ecclesiology/ecclesiastic
The term used to describe the ideas and practices of
church government, especially in the Western,
CATHOLIC Church. In Protestant Christian churches,
this is sometimes referred to as “church polity.” It
describes the governing structure of the church,
whether Episcopal (bishop-led), Presbyterian, congre-
gational, or papal (pope). Developed largely by
MEDIEVAL CANON-LAWwriters, ecclesiology determined
the respective power of the pope, bishops, priests, reli-
gious orders, church councils, and other church organ-
izations. As the administration of the church is always
developing, this discipline of ecclesiology is a growing,
changing field.egalitarian/egalitarianism
An ideal or practice advocating human equality. In the
history of Western political thought, several bases have91