The History of Socialist Thought

[SocialistPunk]

I was wondering if there is any definitive work about the origins and evolution of socialist ideas? Maybe a book or series of articles?

[jondwhite]

Perhaps you're subconsciously thinking of the work titled exactly that by GDH Cole?https://libcom.org/history/history-socialist-thought-gdh-cole

[alanjjohnstone]

Or perhaps influenced by the ex-SPGB John Crump's similarly titled, "The Origin of Socialist Thought in Japan" http://www.worldsocialism.org/spgb/socialist-standard/1980s/1983/no-951-november-1983/book-review-origins-socialist-thought-japan

[DJP]

For an account of the 19th and 20th centuries the book "Non-Market Socialism in the Ninetieth and Twentieth Century" by Crump and Rubel is well worth a look.Also Clifford Harpers "Anarchy: A Graphic Guide" for the anarchist perspective and amazing illustrationshttp://libcom.org/files/anarchy-graphic-guide-clifford-harper.pdf

[SocialistPunk]

jondwhite wrote:

Perhaps you're subconsciously thinking of the work titled exactly that by GDH Cole?https://libcom.org/history/history-socialist-thought-gdh-cole

Thanks everyone but I think special thanks could be going to JDW,What I was looking for is something that traces the pre socialist origins, through to the early 20th century. The first book in the series, Socialist Thought: The Forerunners, by title alone would appear to be what I was after.I want to get to grips with the evolution of socialism. I think it could be helpful when discussing with people how our idea of socialism came into being.The big questions though, are they any good? Are they worth the effort of wading through and will I find what I want?  

[DJP]

To get to the beginnings of socialist thought you have to go to the beginnings of capitalism, and that is found in the 100 or so years leading up to the civil war in England. Writers like Winstanley are important historically, though I don't think they where that well known until the 20th century. There's loads of books about them and they are mentioned in the Clifford Harper book. The Cole one doesn't seem to go that far back.. I've not read it so don't know how good it is…

[Young Master Smeet]

A history of British socialism Author:Max BeerPublisher:London : G. Allen & Unwin Ltd., [1953]The general history of socialism and social struggles. Author:Max BeerPublisher:New York, Russell & Russell [1957](The latter goes back to ancient times, and may be a little tendentious). Socialism by James Ramsay MacDonald  Print book View all formats and languages »Language: English Publisher: New York : Kraus Reprint Co., 1970.  IIRC it's an interesting account, that starts with Godwin, read with pinch of salt. Also:William Morris and E. Belfort BaxSocialism From The Root UporSocialism Its Growth & Outcome https://www.marxists.org/archive/morris/works/1886/sru/

[SocialistPunk]

Thanks YMS,I think the last link you posted to the William Morris and E. Belfort series "Socialism From The Root Up" seems more gentle on the grey matter, so I'll start there.If anyone has any thoughts on this huge subject, it'd be good to get some discussions going.This really belongs in General Discussion but I made an error of judgement when posting it up.  Thanks Mod1

[Richard]

DJP wrote:

To get to the beginnings of socialist thought you have to go to the beginnings of capitalism, and that is found in the 100 or so years leading up to the civil war in England. Writers like Winstanley are important historically,…

On this note I can recommend Christopher Hill's "The World Turned Upside Down". Availiable as a PDF file at: https://libcom.org/files/%5BChristopher_Hill%5D_The_World_Turned_Upside_Down_R%28Bookos.org%29.pdfThere's also another book which I haven't read yet: "The Digger Movement in the Days of the Commonwealth" by Lewis H. Berens. http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17480/17480-h/17480-h.htmThere's also a movie about Winstanley and the True Levellers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qW12-yt2o6A Christopher Hill was consulted in the making of this movie so hopefully it's fairly accurate historically.

[imposs1904]

I guess you could check out Edmund Wilson's To The Finland Station.There's also George Lichtheim's The Origins of Socialism.

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