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 isthe 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-

tion between the different kinds of Socialists

II. Further division (according to the means proposed

of realizing their ideals) into the Revolutionary,

Evolutionary, and State-Socialists. Prospects of

Socialism in the leading civilized countries-England,

France, Germany, and the United States

III. Anarchism, and its relation to Socialism: points of

agreement and difference. Why some knowledge of

the history of Socialism is desirable.

I-

11-17

17-20

CHAPTER II.

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

Prophets. The Socialism of the Gospels. The ideal

of the Christian Society

II. The Catholic Church and Communism. Gradation
of classes under Feudalism. Risings of the "com-

21-27

SECT.

monalty" after the decline of feudalism. The risings

of the people in England to prevent their divorce

from the land. Increase of the poor and institution

of Poor Laws. More's Utopia. Anticipation in it

of the modern Socialist argument. The age of

social Utopias .

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 limi-

tation of the kingly authority. Social and economic

effects. Decline of yeomen and rise of the farming

class. The agricultural labourer

IV. New era in the history of Society inaugurated by

the writings of Rousseau. His "Discours sur

F'Origine de l'Inégalité." His story of the "fall of

man" socially and morally. Stages in the early his-

tory 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. Trans-

formation 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 Govern-

ment. How to retain the sovereign power in the

hands of the people. Far-reaching consequences of

Rousseau's writings. Errors and truth in them

V. How far Rousseau was a Socialist. The doctrine of

the "Economic Politique" favours what we now call

State-Socialisin, 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 te present collectivist system.

Bakunin's Anarchism. Morellet's Communism; its

affinity with existing Collectivism. The French

Revolution partly Socialistic in its effects.

33-39

39-59

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 Social-

ism, 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 Chris-

tianity. Its principal aim the amelioration of the

lot of the poor

PAGE

.72-78
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. Antici-
pation of special positions of the present Collec-
tivists. Insight of the St. Simonians: merits and
defects of their ideal: specific objections

.. 78-87

III. Carlyle's Socialism. Resemblance between his social

and political doctrine and the St. Simonian Social-

ism. 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 "

66

IV. New Socialistic scheme of Fourier: Not State-
Socialism. The phalange and the phalanstère.
Fourier's principle of distribution. Mill's eulogy

of Fourier's scheme: his criticism of it. Possible
case for an experiment on Fourier's lines

V. Louis Blanc's objection to St. Simonism.

87-98

.98-106

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