Socialism: A Very Short Introduction

by Newman, Michael

• ISBN13: 9780192804310
• ISBN10: 0192804316
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-09-22
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Today, most people think of socialism as an outdated ideology. In this Very Short Introduction, Michael Newman seeks to place the idea of socialism in a modern context for today's readers. He explains socialist ideas in the framework of its historical evolution, from the French Revolution to the present day, and examines practical attempts to implement socialism. Not just another history of socialist ideas, this book aims for a different approach that looks at practice as well as theory--centering on the contrast between Communism and Social Democracy. The relationship between socialism and notions of democracy, freedom, and equality is also discussed. Newman brings the subject entirely up to date by tackling contemporary forms of socialism. While the book's focus is on Europe and the Soviet Union, it is set in a broader geographical context. Newman's fresh approach to the subject enables the reader to re-evaluate socialism.

Author Biography

Michael Newman is Professor of Politics at London Metropolitan University, where he is also Jean Monnet Professor of European Integration Studies and Director of the London European Research Centre.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	p. ix
List of illustrations	p. xi
Introduction	p. 1
Socialist traditions	p. 6
Cuban communism and Swedish social democracy	p. 47
New Lefts - enrichment and fragmentation	p. 84
Socialism today and tomorrow	p. 117
References	p. 155
Further reading	p. 159
Index	p. 163
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