English Ethical Socialism: Thomas More to R.H. Tawney

by Norman Dennis

This is an examination of the tradition of ethical socialism, its successes, its failures and its relevance to contemporary Britain. The authors focus on a group of writers who, although separated by time and background, all promoted this brand of socialism. Thomas More, William Cobbett, L. T. Hobhouse, George Orwell, T. H. Marshall and R. H. Tawney are linked by their sense of history, their commitment to liberty, equality and fraternity, and their belief in moral motivation as the mainspring of individual conduct and social organization.

Their intentions, their theory of society and their theory of action are examined. The authors conclude with the belief that the ideas and attitudes of ethical socialism are deeply rooted in British culture, and that in its depth and breadth, as well as in its moral appeal, ethical socialism addresses modern social problems with undiminished authority.

296 pages, Hardcover

First published November 17, 1988