Beatrice Webb

Question 1

Who was Beatrice Webb?

Answer 1

Beatrice Webb made a significant contribution to the development of early democratic socialism and its belief in the inevitability of gradualism.

Question 2

Which type of socialist was Beatrice Webb?

Answer 2

Beatrice Webb was a democratic socialist?

Question 3

What were Beatrice Webb’s beliefs on human nature?

Answer 3

Beatrice Webb believed that the damage inflicted by capitalism upon the human psyche will only be compounded by a violent revolution.
(thus needs to by guided back, gradually, to its original, cooperative condition)

Question 4

What were Beatrice Webb’s beliefs on the state?

Answer 4

Beatrice Webb believed that, if harnessed by universal suffrage, the existing state could be used to effect a gradual transition to socialism.
(allowing greater equality of outcome without need for a violent revolution)

Question 5

What were Beatrice Webb’s beliefs on society?

Answer 5

Beatrice Webb believed that the poverties and inequalities of a capitalist society continue to depress human potential.
(thus should gradually be reformed into a socialist society)

Question 6

What were Beatrice Webb’s beliefs on the economy?

Answer 6

The chaotic capitalist economy will gradually be replaced by one which secures for workers the full fruits of their labour.
(reducing inequality and securing equality of outcome)