PREFACE. IN a former work written by the author, entitled "The Social Problem," the various forms of existing Socialism were briefly considered as proffered solutions of the Social Problem. In the present work the whole subject of Socialism is considered more fully (especially from the historical and economic side) than the scope of the former work allowed. The book is thus a new and independent work; though in the chapters on "Practicable StateSocialism" the reader of the present volume who may by chance have read the former one, may observe a certain similarity in the conclusions. reached, as compared with those in a chapter of the earlier work dealing with specific social remedies. On the other hand, he may note a greater definiteness in the statement of certain conclusions, and possibly even a difference of a more essential kinda qualification of some of the results formerly set forth. Where there is really such a difference-as to some, though not to a considerable extent there is— the conclusions here given are to be taken as the author's more matured opinion on the subject. I have to express my thanks to Mr. Goddard H. Orpen, of Lincoln's Inn, for his careful reading of the proofs while passing through the press, as well as for suggestions and criticisms which assisted me to make improvements in particular parts of the book. LONDON, July 29, 1890. I. The different senses of the word Socialism, and rela- II. Further division (according to the means proposed III. Anarchism, and its relation to Socialism: points of I-II 11-17 17-20 SOCIALISM BEFORE THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. I. The Jewish Socialism. Socialistic institutions of the Law of Moses-The Jubilee, &c. Failure of the Jewish Socialistic polity. Retardation of the change to individualism by the Law of Moses and the SECT. monalty" after the decline of feudalism. The risings PAGE . 27-33 III. Decline in the production of Utopias. The new problem for social philosophers-The Origin of Civil Society and Government. Hobbes' and Locke's speculations. What constitutes private property according to each. Effects of their writings on English society and subsequent social speculation. The struggle for Monarchy in England throughout the seventeenth century. Political effects of the limitation of the kingly authority. Social and economic effects. Decline of yeomen and rise of the farming class. The agricultural labourer 33-39 IV. New era in the history of Society inaugurated by the writings of Rousseau. His "Discours sur l'Origine de l'Inégalité." His story of the "fall of man" socially and morally. Stages in the early history of man. The happy stage at which the species should have stopped. The origin of private property. The evil world and the evil passions that came with private property. The war of all with all. Origin of Civil Society and Law. Transformation of delegated into absolute authority. The sole way of recovery, as indicated in the "Contrat Social." The people the only legitimate sovereign in the state. The proper aims of Government. How to retain the sovereign power in the hands of the people. Far-reaching consequences of Rousseau's writings. Errors and truth in them 39-59 V. How far Rousseau was a Socialist. The doctrine of the "Economic Politique" favours what we now call State-Socialism, to be secured by taxation and the extension of the State's functions VI. Theories due to the influence of Rousseau's ideas. Mably's Communism. Fichte's Collectivism, an anticipation of the present collectivist system. Bakunin's Anarchism. Morellet's Communism; its affinity with existing Collectivism. The French Revolution partly Socialistic in its effects. • 59-64 64-71 SECT. CHAPTER III. MODERN SOCIALISM, FROM ST. SIMON TO KARL MARX. 1. St. Simon: his originality: successive phases of his ideas. His Positivist stage. His State Socialism, with the right to labour and the right to knowledge guaranteed to the labourer. Further advance: a new morality necessary, to be supplied by positive philosophers; and a new religion, to be preached by philanthropists. The "New Christianity." Its principal aim the amelioration of the lot of the poor II. The St. Simonian school. Advance on the views of the Master. The three stages in the exploitation of man by his fellows. A radical reform declared to be necessary in the laws of Property and Inheritance. Their principle of distribution:-to each according to his works. Views on Rent: on Capital. Anticipation of special positions of the present Collectivists. Insight of the St. Simonians: merits and defects of their ideal: specific objections PAGE 72-78 · 78-87 III. Carlyle's Socialism. Resemblance between his social and political doctrine and the St. Simonian Socialism. Ideas in common with the St. Simonians in "Sartor Resartus" and "Past and Present." The doctrine of the "Latter Day Pamphlets." Way to the desired end according to Carlyle:-The "Great Man" seconded by an aristocracy of ability. Similar doctrine in Lord Beaconsfield's political novels of "Sybil; or the Two Nations," and "Coningsby " IV. New Socialistic scheme of Fourier: Not State- 87-98 phalanstère. of Fourier's scheme: his criticism of it. case for an experiment on Fourier's lines V. Louis Blanc's objection to St. Simonism. His own scheme of co-operative production to be launched by the aid of the State, but afterwards to be free from State control. Competition to be employed to get rid of the present system, afterwards to be done away with. Tendency of the scheme to Communism. Its failure so far as partially tried 106-115 |