Democratic Socialism in Britain : Classic Texts in Economic and Political Thought, 1825-1952

British liberals in the period from the Industrial Revolution to the founding of the Welfare State made an important contribution to the theory of gain-seeking behaviour and the free economic market.

British socialists in the same period were forging an alternative tradition which concentrated on compassion, corporatism, community and classlessness.

Both approaches shared the constructs of tolerance and compromise, equity and democracy.

In that sense they are best seen as two horses from the same stable.The texts in this collection demonstrate both the diversity and continuity in British theories of democratic socialism.

The selection encompasses the Ricardian socialists who drew their inspiration from the labour theory of the classical economists; the Christian socialists who modelled their co-operative on the Good Samaritan's ranking of obligations above privileges; and the Fabian socialists who believed that gradual social engineering was infinitely preferable to sudden radical upheaval.

The series is characterized by its breadth: Morris on craftsmanship; Penty on participation; Cole on planning; Bevan on nationalism - all are shown to be parts of a church that was as broad as it was united.