Synopses & Reviews
Labour's Thinkers seeks to examine the key ideas emphasised by the twelve individuals whom the authors judge to have made the most significant development to the political thought of the Labour Party since the 1930s. Hickson and Beech argue the Labour Party is a party of values but often not of ideas. The number of people involved in the serious discussion of ideas in the Labour Party is relatively small and intellectuals are often viewed with suspicion in what is, or was, a party set up to represent the interests of the working classes. The formulation and development of ideas are therefore crucial to understanding the outcomes of the Labour Party's internal struggles and the basis of the party's appeal. Labour's Thinkers highlights influential and at times controversial figures involved in the battle of socialist ideas in the Labour Party, exploring concepts such as equality, liberty, community, power, the state, ownership and patriotism.
Review
"This collection of essays sets out the reasons why the authors feel those included deserve their place and…they have chosen correctly. There is bound to be more interest in such a study now Labour has been back in government for a decade." --Tribune
Synopsis
Labours Thinkers highlights influential and at times controversial figures involved in the battle of socialist ideas in the Labour Party, exploring concepts such as equality, liberty, community, power, the state, ownership and patriotism.
About the Author
Matt Beech is Senior Lecturer in Politics and Director of the Centre for British Politics at the University of Hull, UK.
Kevin Hickson is author of The IMF Crisis and British Politics (I.B.Tauris 2005). He has been a researcher at the University of Southampton, UK, and is a specialist in political economy.
Table of Contents
Introduction * RH Tawney * GDH Cole * Evan Durbin * Harold Laski * John Strachey * Richard Crossman * Tony Crosland * Stuart Holland * David Owen * Roy Hattersley * Anthony Giddens * Gordon Brown * Conclusion * Bibliography * Index