The Making of British Socialism (ebook)

Argumento de The Making of British Socialism (ebook)

"Considering Bevir's analytical approach and his original assessments of the ideology and practice of British socialism, his book ought to be seen as a valuable addition to the historiography."--Irina Suslina, European History Quarterly

"Its great strength lies in Bevir's skilful combination of the political and the personal, and the essentially personal moral nature and character of socialist belief. Its scope is impressive, taking in many of the facets of late nineteenth-century socialism and its antecedents. Bevir is writing to an extent to reclaim a socialist heritage, and to suggest how the past can point to future political activity, and this book forms a powerful and persuasive argument in that respect."--Daniel Renshaw, Socialist History

"This important book offers a fresh perspective on the emergence of British socialist ideas in the late nineteenth century that is rich in historical insight and contemporary political relevance. Mark Bevir skillfully analyzes the complex ideological strands that were woven together to form the political thought of British socialism and he deftly corrects the numerous misunderstandings that have accumulated in the secondary literature. He takes the intellectual history of socialism in this period to a new level of sophistication."--Ben Jackson, University of Oxford

"Mark Bevir has taken on a laudable task--to demonstrate that British socialism still has something to say. The historiography of the past thirty years seems to have argued socialism out of the picture, but Bevir restores it to its proper place. . . . [T]he book on the whole is written very clearly and presents a coherent and persuasive argument."--Anna Clark, Journal of Modern History

"By showing how socialism combined established traditions and new ideas in order to respond to the changing world of the late nineteenth century, The Making of British Socialism turns aside long-held assumptions about the origins of a major movement."--World Book Industry

"Bevir's account contributes much to the historiography of both the European Left and late Victorian Britain. It will also be read with benefit by those seeking to revive a seemingly stagnant socialist tradition."--Henry Reichman, Historian

"Bevir's reassessment of key facets of late Victorian socialist political thought remains compelling. . . . [T]his is clearly an important intervention in the history of British socialist political thought. It corrects many misconceptions and simplifications about the various strands of early socialism."--Jon Lawrence, Victorian Studies

"Bevir challenges both the old historiography of socialism and current conceptions of socialism based upon the older views. . . . Bevir accomplishes a good portion of his goals through a well-structured, closely argued text that incorporates the work of recent historians as well as the views of Marxists, Fabians, and moral socialists of the period of primary focus. . . . A valuable resource."--Choice

"Bevir has made a useful contribution to what should be considered a history in progress."--Keith Flett, Reviews in History

"[T]his is an important, intelligent and provocative book, which deserves the careful attention of every student of British socialism. Impeccable and wide ranging in its scholarship, it is in many respects excellent."--Catherine Feely, European Review of History

"This study of British socialist thought is a classic and is essential for any collection of key books on late nineteenth-century British socialism."--Chris Wrigley, Socialist History

"An impressive array of different material is covered in detail. . . . [G]enerally the selection is very good. Overall, it is an excellent account for historians and others interested in the politics and economics of socialism in this period."--James Hall, Political Studies Review0Preface ix
Acknowledgments xi
List of Abbreviations xiii

Chapter One: Introduction: Socialism and History 1
Chapter Two: The Victorian Context 22

Part One: The Marxists 43
Chapter Three: Ernest Belfort Bax 45
Chapter Four: Henry Mayers Hyndman 65
Chapter Five: William Morris 85
Chapter Six: The Social Democratic Federation 106

Part Two: The Fabians 129
Chapter Seven: Theories of Rent 131
Chapter Eight: George Bernard Shaw 152
Chapter Nine: Sidney Webb 173
Chapter Ten: Permeation and Independent Labor 195

Part Three: The Ethical Socialists 215
Chapter Eleven: Welfarism, Socialism, and Religion 217
Chapter Twelve: American Romanticism and British Socialism 235
Chapter Thirteen: Ethical Anarchism 256
Chapter Fourteen: The Labour Church Movement 278
Conclusion: Socialism, Labor, and the State 298

Bibliography 317
Index 337