Alternatives to State-Socialism in Britain

This book poses a major revisionist challenge to 20th century British labour history, aiming to look beyond the Marxist and Fabian exclusion of working class experience, notably religion and self-help, in order to exaggerate ‘labour movement’ class cohesion. Instead of a ‘forward march’ to secular state-socialism, the research presented here is devoted to a rich diversity of social movements and ideas. In this collection of essays, the editors establish the liberal-pluralist tradition, with the following chapters covering three distinct sections. Part One, ‘Other Forms of Association’ covers subjects such as trade unions, the Co-operative Party, women’s community activism and Protestant Nonconformity. Part Two, ‘Other Leaders’, covers employer Edward Cadbury; Trades Union Congress leader Walter Citrine; and the electricians’ leader, Frank Chapple. Part Three, ‘Other Intellectuals’, considers G.D.H. Cole, Michael Young and left libertarianism by Stuart White. Readers interested in the British Labour movement will find this an invaluable resource.

1. ‘Other Worlds of Labour’: liberal-pluralism in twentieth century British labour history    Peter Ackers and Alastair J. Reid.- 2. Part I: Other forms of association.- 3. 2. Trade unions: voluntary associations and individual rights. Richard Whiting.- 4. 3. The Co-operative Party: an alternative vision of social ownership. Rachael Vorberg-Rugh and Angela Whitecross.- 5. 4. Working class women activists: citizenship at the local level. Ruth Davidson.- 6. 5. Protestant Nonconformists: providers of educational and social services. Andy Vail.- 7. Part II: Other leaders.- 8. 6. Edward Cadbury: an egalitarian employer and supporter of working women’s campaigns. John Kimberley.- 9. 7. Walter Citrine: a union pioneer of industrial co-operation. James Moher.- 10. 8. Frank Chapple: a thoughtful trade union moderniser. Calum Aikman.- 11. Part III: Other intellectuals.- 12. 9. G.D.H. Cole: a socialist and pluralist. David Goodway.- 13. 10. Michael Young: an innovative social entrepreneur. Stephen Meredith.- 14. 11. The left after social democracy: towards state-society partnerships. Stuart White.- 15. 12. Looking forward: civil society after state socialism and beyond neo-liberalism. Peter Ackers and Alastair J. Reid.