1st Edition

Labour's Utopias Bolshevism, Fabianism, Social Democracy

By Peter Beilharz Copyright 1992
    182 Pages
    by Routledge

    182 Pages
    by Routledge

    First published in 1992. The collapse of communist rule in Eastern Europe has led to a widespread view that socialism is a dead, or at least dying, force. Labour’s Utopias argues that this assumption is based on the popular conception that socialism’s various traditions are simply different means to a common end. The author looks at three strands of socialism – Bolshevism, Fabianism and German Social Democracy – in order to assess whether this argument is justified, concluding that in fact each has a distinct vision of an ideal future.

    This study will appeal to scholars and students of politics, history and socialism, and to all those with an interest in the alternatives to capitalism.

    Preface;  Introduction;  1. Socialism, Utopia, Social Theory  2. Bolshevism  3. Fabianism  4. Social Democracy  5. Conclusions;  Notes;  Bibliographical Note;  Index

    Biography

    Peter Beilharz (born 13 November 1953, Melbourne, Australia) is an Australian sociologist. He is currently Professor of Culture and Society at Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia. Previously he was Professor of Sociology at La Trobe University, Melbourne. Beilharz is also a co-founder and editor of the international journal of social theory Thesis Eleven published by Sage.