The Online Library of Liberty

A project of Liberty Fund, Inc.

• Preface to the American Edition, By H. G. Wilshire
• Preface to the English Edition, By G. B. Shaw
• The Basis of Socialism
• Historic By Sidney Webb Ll.b., Barrister At Law, Lecturer On Political Economy At the City of London College.
• The Development of the Democratic Ideal.
• The Disintegration of the Old Synthesis.
• The Period of Anarchy.
• The Intellectual and Moral Revolt, and Its Political Outcome.
• Revision of Taxation.
• Extension of Factory Acts.
• Educational Reform.
• Re-organization of Poor Law Administration.
• Extension of Municipal Activity.
• Amendment of Political Machinery.
• The New Synthesis.
• Industrial. By William Clarke M.A. Cambridge.
• Moral76 By Sidney Olivier B.a., Oxford.
• Economic By G. Bernard Shaw
• Rent.
• The County Family.
• The Proletariat.
• Exchange Value.
• Wages.
• Capitalism
• "over-population."
• "illth."
• The Organization of Society
• Property Under Socialism By Graham Wallas, M.A., Oxford
• Industry Under Socialism By Annie Besant
• The Transition to Social Democracy
• Transition21 By G. Bernard Shaw
• The Outlook By Hubert Bland

Amendment of Political Machinery.

Object.—To obtain the most accurate representation and expression of the desires of the majority of the people at every moment.

Means.—1. Reform of registration so as to give a vote, both Parliamentary and municipal, to every adult. 2 Abolition of any period of residence as a qualification for registration. 3. Bi-annual registration by special public officer. 4. Annual Parliaments. 5. Payment of election expenses, including postage of election addresses and polling cards. 6. Payment of all public representatives, parliamentary, county, or municipal. 7. Second ballot. 8. Abolition or painless extinction of the House of Lords.36

This is the program to which a century of industrial revolution has brought the Radical workingman. Like John Stuart Mill,37 though less explicitly, he has turned from mere political Democracy to a complete, though unconscious, Socialism.38  39 .

[36.]It need hardly be said that schemes of "free land," peasant proprietorship, or leasehold enfranchisement, find no place in the modern program of the Socialist Radical, or Social Democrat. They are survivals of the Individualistic Radicalism which is passing away. Candidates seeking a popular "cry" more and more avoid these reactionary proposals.

[37.]"Autobiography," p. 231-2. See No. 2, of this Social Science Library.

[38.]For a forecast of the difficulties which this program will have to encounter, as its full scope and intention become more clearly realized, see the eighth essay in this volume, by Hubert Bland.

[39.]In America, Socialists demand at once the popular election of President and Senate, and the nationalization of means of transportation and communication.—Am. Ed.