The Making of British Socialism

Description

The Making of British Socialism provides a new interpretation of the emergence of British socialism in the late nineteenth century, demonstrating that it was not a working-class movement demanding state action, but a creative campaign of political hope promoting social justice, personal transformation, and radical democracy. Mark Bevir shows that B

Mark Bevir is professor of political science at the University of California, Berkeley. His books include Democratic Governance (Princeton).

"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 "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 Review "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 "[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 "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 "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 "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 "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 "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