Fabian Essays in Socialist Thought

The Fabian Society is Europe's oldest and Britain's most influential socialist group. Past Fabians have included Bernard Shaw, H.G. Wells, Beatrice and Sidney Webb, Graham Wallas, G.D.H. Cole, R.H. Tawney, Hugh Dalton and Anthony Crosland. 'Fabianism' has been credited with, and blamed for, everything from the welfare state and the managed economy to the problems of nationalised industry and impersonal bureaucracy. In this centenary volume, leading socialist writers celebrate or criticise the tradition, and discuss the relevance of socialism in the modern world. The first part examines the development of Fabian ideas, with lessons for today. The second part applies socialist ideas to the problems of the 1980s and 1990s, offering a powerful challenge both to the 'New Right' and to the assumptions of recent Labour Party policy-making. How may liberty and equality be combined? Is socialist 'fraternity' out of date? Do socialists need to think afresh about economics? How should education and the social services be reformed? How might Britain help to ease international tensions? Can Marxists and Fabians learn from each other? These are some of the questions considered in a book which is essential reading for all who want to understand Britain's crisis and help resolve the socialist dilemma.