Origins of England’s Socialism

Socialism’s Roots

Where does socialism come from? Progress in politics, as in any sphere, depends on the interaction of theory and practice. The theory of socialism is drawn, historically, from writers and thinkers, and from the experiences of participants where there have been attempts to move towards a socialist society.

Any selection of thinkers is, inevitably, a personal choice: the list which follows is representative, not comprehensive. Others would, no doubt, select different names. Writers and thinkers I do not mention are not left out: they are represented by those I have chosen to name.

A convenient starting point for understanding the origins of socialism is to examine the economic and social characteristics at the beginning of society. There are excellent descriptions in the writings of, for example, E Gordon Childe, especially in his best-known books Man Makes Himself and What Happened in History.

Of particular interest is Childe’s descriptions of how a class society developed. When harvests started to produce more than the producers needed, the surplus was given to the community leaders in gratitude for the favourable climate. These leaders, often referred to as “priests”, were then able to live without contributing to the production of the harvests..

Plato and Jesus Christ

Moving on to civilisation, the next port of call is the Greek City States. Athens, at the time of the great orator Pericles, witnessed the operation of a simple form of democracy. However, it has to be noted, that the writings of Plato reveal a movement towards dictatorship and class divisions. In The Republic he describes three classes: the men of gold, silver, and bronze.

Next, probably the best-known example in Western society, is the preaching of Jesus Christ. His teachings, particularly support for the poor and needy and the driving of the traders from the Temple, have provided the inspiration for many leaders who have tried to create a better, especially a more equal, society.

To be clear about the influence of Jesus on socialist thinking, it is necessary for a distinction to be drawn between his teaching and the misrepresentation of it by various established churches. However, the influence of non conformist chapels, especially Methodism, on socialist thinkers in England in the nineteenth century is well-documented.

Socialism and Democracy

In the English tradition, socialism and democracy are inextricably linked: it is impossible to have one without the other. This brings us conveniently to Tom Payne, with his influence on American Independence and the related anti-imperialism. Payne was very English and had significant influence on the progressives in the nineteenth century, especially the Chartists.