Soviet Communism: A New Civilisation? - Vol. I

by Beatrice Potter Webb, Sidney Webb

This early work by Beatrice and Sidney Webb was originally published in 1935 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introductory biography. 'Soviet Communism: A New Civilisation? - Vol. I' is a work that details the social structure and principles of the USSR in the early part of the 20th century. Beatrice Potter Webb was born in Gloucester, England in 1858. Both her mother and brother died early in her childhood leaving her to be raised by her father, Richard Potter. He was a successful businessman with large railroad interests and many influential friends in politics and industry whose company the young Beatrice would become accustomed to. Upon reaching adulthood, Potter moved to London and helped her cousin, Charles, a social reformer, research his book The Life and Labour of the People in London. It was during this time that she was introduced to Sidney James Webb, who later became her husband and collaborator. The Webb's, together, wrote eleven volumes of work which arguably shaped the way subsequent scholars thought about sociology. They also collaborated on more than 100 books and articles on the conditions of factory workers, and the economic history of Britain, among other subjects.

Genres: History, Politics, Theory

552 pages, Paperback

Published August 21, 2013

About the author

Martha Beatrice Webb, Baroness Passfield (née Potter) was English sociologist, economist, socialist, labour historian and social reformer. It was Webb who coined the term "collective bargaining". She was among the founders of the London School of Economics and played a crucial role in forming the Fabian Society.
In 1890 Beatrice Potter was introduced to Sidney Webb, whose help she sought with her research. They married in 1892, and until her death 51 years later shared political and professional activities.