Fabian Essays in Socialism

by George Bernard Shaw (Editor)

Britain's Fabian Society was founded in 1884 to promote non-Marxist evolutionary socialism, and later laid the foundations for the nation's Labour Party. These educational essays, adapted from a series of lectures delivered in 1889 and published the following year, serve not only as an introductory course in democratic applications of socialism but also as a primer in the history of modern British politics. Essays include. . George Bernard Shaw on the economic basis of socialism, and transitioning to social democracy . Sidney Webb on the history of socialism in England . William Clarke on the capitalist roots of socialism . Sydney Oliver on morality and socialism . Graham Wallas on property, wealth, and debt under socialism . Annie Besant on the workings of industry in a socialist system . Hubert Bland on the future of modern socialism.

Genres: Politics, Political Science, Economics, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Theory

284 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2006

About the author

George Bernard Shaw stands as one of the most prolific and influential intellectuals of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, a man whose literary output was matched only by his fervent commitment to social reform. Rising from a modest background in Dublin to become a global icon of letters, Shaw redefined the purpose of the stage, transforming it from a place of mere entertainment into a forum for rigorous intellectual debate and moral inquiry. His unique "Shavian" style—characterized by sharp-witted dialogue, paradoxical reasoning, and a relentless assault on Victorian hypocrisy—ensured that his voice resonated far beyond the footlights. As a playwright, critic, and philosopher, he remains a singular figure in history, being one of only two individuals to have been honored with both a Nobel Prize in Literature and an Academy Award. This rare crossover of high-art recognition and mainstream cinematic success speaks to his versatility and the enduring relevance of his narratives. His dramatic work, which includes over sixty plays, often tackled the most pressing issues of his day, from the rigid structures of the British class system to the complexities of gender roles and the ethical dilemmas of capitalism. In masterpieces like Pygmalion, he used the science of phonetics to demonstrate the artificiality of class distinctions, a theme that would later reach millions through the musical adaptation My Fair Lady. In Man and Superman, he delved into the philosophical concepts of the "Life Force" and the evolution of the human spirit, while Major Barbara forced audiences to confront the uncomfortable relationship between religious idealism and the industrial military complex. Beyond his theatrical achievements, Shaw was a foundational force in political thought, serving as a leading light of the Fabian Society. His advocacy for gradual socialist reform, rather than violent revolution, helped shape the trajectory of modern British politics and social welfare. He was instrumental in the creation of the London School of Economics, an institution that continues to influence global policy and economic theory. Shaw was also a formidable critic, whose reviews of music and drama set new standards for the profession, characterized by an uncompromising honesty and a deep knowledge of the arts. His personal lifestyle was as distinctive as his writing; a committed vegetarian, teetotaler, and non-smoker, he lived with a disciplined focus that allowed him to remain productive well into his ninth decade. He was a man of contradictions, often engaging in provocative public discourse that challenged the status quo, even when his views sparked intense controversy. His fascination with the "Superman" archetype and his occasional support for authoritarian figures reflected a complex, often elitist worldview that sought the betterment of humanity through radical intellectual evolution. Despite these complexities, his core mission was always rooted in a profound humanitarianism and a desire to expose the delusions that prevented society from progressing. He believed that the power of the written word could strip away the masks of respectability that hid social injustice, and his plays continue to be staged worldwide because the human foibles he satirized remain as prevalent today as they were during his lifetime. By blending humor with gravity and intellect with accessibility, Shaw created a body of work that serves as both a mirror and a compass for modern civilization. His legacy is not just in the scripts he left behind, but in the very way we think about the intersection of art, politics, and the individual’s responsibility to the collective good. He remains the quintessential public intellectual, a man who never feared to speak his mind or to demand that the world become a more rational and equitable place.

Reviews

[Yaser Maadat · Rating 3 out of 5]

مجموعة من المقالات و الأوراق التي قدمها جورج برنارد شو أثناء نشاطه في الجمعية الفابية ذات التوجه الاشتراكي الديموقراطي و التي أنشئت عام 1884،و بإمكانتا القول بأن هذه الجمعية جاءت كرد فعل على هزيمة كوميونة باريس و التي أدخلت الشك في صفوف الاشتراكيين الثوريين حول مسألة اقامة النظام الاشتراكي عبر ثورة البروليتاريا،و هو ما حدى بالاشتراكيين الديموقراطيين توسيع نطاق عملهم و جذب الخلايا الاشتراكية لجانب مشروعهم الذي أخذ يبتعد أكثر فأكثر عن الأطروحة الماركسية و التي قدم لها برنارد شو نقدا هاما في هذه المقالات مثلما قدم نقدما آخر هاما للأناركية.
يعرض برناردشو في هذه المقالات النهج البريطاني الفابي للاشتراكية الديموقراطية محاولا عرضها كمثال نموذجي لقيادة الوعي الاشتراكي الديموقراطي،عبر عرض تفصيلي لمبادىء الاقتصاد السياسي الذي تتخذه الجمعية و تقدمه كدستور للنمط الاشتراكي الديموقراطي.
على الرغم من اندماج قادة الجمعية في حزب العمال و شبه تلاشيها فعليا من الواقع السياسي البريطاني،إلا أن الجمعية شكلت منعطفا هاما في التاريخ الاشتراكي البريطاني،مثلما ساهمت قياداتها في قيادة بريطانيا ما بعد الحرب بالتحديد،بغض النظر عن الانحراف الهائل الذي جرف حزب العمال بعيدا عن اشتراكية الجمعية الفابية صوب نزعة أكثر ليبرالية اليوم!

[Samer Halabi]

لم يكن لدي اي معلومة عن الاشتراكية الفابية الى ان استعرت هذا الكتاب من المكتبة , ملخص الموضوع ان الاشتراكية لها طريقان , اما فرض نفسها بالعنف كما حصل في روسيا واما عن طريق السلم واستغلال الديموقراطية ووسائلها والقانون والانتخابات وتثقيف الجمهور . كلتا الطريقتان تريد الاشتراكية ولكن الطرق مختلفة تماما. كتاب انصح به للاشخاص الذين ليس لديهم اي فكرة عن الاشتراكية الفابية وتطبيقاتها.