Fabian Socialism vs. Radical Liberalism

About this Collection

In the late 19th century the classical liberal, free market orthodoxy was beginning to be challenged by socialists like George Bernard Shaw, who put together a collection of essays in 1889 advocating greater intervention by the state in the economy. Unlike the Marxists, who desired revolutionary change, the “Fabian socialists” advocated incremental change through the parliamentary system. This volume provoked a reply by supporters of private property and laissez-faire economics led by Thomas Mackay.

Western Europe Freedom Schools of Thought 19th Century Socialism. Communism. Anarchism Social Sciences

Titles & Essays

Group by Category

Fabian Essays in Socialism

George Bernard Shaw (editor)

This collection of essays by the so-called “Fabian Socialists” (who advocated socialism by means of gradual political and economic reform instead of by revolution as preferred by the Marxists) prompted a vigorous defense of…

A Plea for Liberty: An Argument against Socialism and Socialistic Legislation (LF ed.)

Thomas Mackay (author)

This collection of essays was originally published in 1891 in response to a collection of Fabian Essays on Socialism which advocated policies which would eventually lead to the modern welfare state. The theoretical and empirical…

A Plea for Liberty: An Argument against Socialism and Socialistic Legislation (1891 ed.)

Auberon Herbert (author)

A Policy of Free Exchange

Thomas Mackay (editor)

The companion volume to A Plea for Liberty which continued the argument against the Fabian Socialists and for a policy of strict non-intervention in the economy by the government.

Notes About This Collection

For additional information about Socialism and the Classical Liberal Critique see the following:

in the Forum: Timeline on the Critique of Fabian Socialism
in the Library: Debate on Fabian Socialism vs. Radical Liberalism