The Socialist Ideal in the Labour Party: From Attlee to Corbyn

The role of the state in sustaining the economy with huge disbursements of funds has been thrown into sharp relief, showing how little truth there was in the phrase: "There is No Alternative." Ethical socialist values of collective solidarity, respect, and equality have developed in Britain since Robert Tressell's The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists in the early twentieth century, and the 1945 Labour government inspired hope that nationalisations were a first step towards socialism. Despite defeats and setbacks, ethical socialism still lives on in the Labour Party, inspired by historical events and social struggles.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 31 March 2022
Publisher: The Merlin Press Ltd

Due to Covid-19, climate change, and the largest wealth disparity in a century, millions of people worldwide face a precarious existence. The pandemic has exposed significant flaws in the social safety net, particularly the harm to the National Health Service caused by years of underfunding and creeping privatization in Britain. The state's role in sustaining the economy with substantial fund disbursements has been brought into stark relief, revealing how little truth there was in the phrase "There is No Alternative." We do rely on one another. Funds can be found.

Most Labour supporters address the issues of poverty and social injustice with the ethical socialist principles of collective solidarity, respect, and equality. How did these ideals emerge? This book traces their development in Britain since Robert Tressell's The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists in the early twentieth century and reviews developments over the last hundred years. The 1945 Labour government inspired hope that nationalizations were a first step toward socialism, ending poverty and mass unemployment for a time. It was followed by the Labour governments of 1964-1970, then Tony Benn, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, and Jeremy Corbyn. Despite defeats and setbacks, ethical socialism still lives on in the Labour Party, inspired by historical events and social struggles. This book examines the importance of socialist ideals for the challenge of building a fairer and more equal society and a better world.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780850367768