Social Democratic Politics in Britain 1881-1911 by Graham Johnson
The Social Democratic Federation was Britain’s first modern socialist organisation. It derived its inspiration from Marx and was an important influence on the developing labour movement at the end of the nineteenth and beginning of the twentieth century. Its members prided themselves on their understanding of socialist theory, and contrasted their knowledge with that of their more pragmatic peers in the organised labour movement of the time. However, the old view of the SDF among historians was that it was a narrow dogmatic sect with a limited understanding of socialist theory. As a result, its involvement in many of the activities and developments in the British labour movement was viewed as contradicting their beliefs. This interpretation is reviewed in the course of a detailed examination of SDF thought. The SDF are found to have developed their ideas over time and adapted them to changing conditions. It is contended that they are more deserving of respect than has often been allowed. Although there have been histories of the organisation, and a detailed study of their thought in relation to women, this is the first full-length study that focuses on the organisation’s political theory in detail.
Contents:
- Preface by Neville Kirk
- Introduction
- Economics
- Historical materialism
- Imperialism
- Patriotism and war
- The Class war
- Reform and revolution
- Conclusion
- Bibliography; Index
ISBN 0-7734-6947-8, $109.95/£69.95, 264pp., Publisher: The Edwin Mellen Press
www.mellenpress.com
From: "Graham Johnson" graham.johnson1@virgin.net