Beatrice Webb

Question 1

Webb’s ‘Inevitability of gradualism’

Answer 1

Slow but steady progress to a socialist society, through a democratic system

Achieved through:
1 - Campaigning peacefully, gradually winning attention + trust

2 - Majority of voters (working class) realise they have no interest in capitalism

3 - Voters inevitably elect a socialist government

4 - Democratic socialist govs gradually replace private ownership with state ownership

5 - Voters recognise progress and re-elect a socialist gov

6 - A socialist society emerges

7 - Benefits of socialism is clear, leading to any reversal of socialism unlikely

Question 2

4 principles which define Webb’s socialism

Answer 2

1 - Capitalism = principle cause of ‘ crippling poverty and demeaning inequality’. A ‘corrupting force’ fostering ‘unnatural’ levels of greed

2 - Neither conservative paternalism (upper classes feel responsible for lower classes) or philanthropy (welfare state) was a solution to poverty + inequality

3 - Poverty + inequality most likely to be destroyed through hard trade unionism and state intervention

4 - Reform needs to be gradual, not revolutionary

Question 3

Webb + Fabian society

Answer 3

Fabian society = an organisation committed to evolutionary socialism through reforms made at Westminster

Became a committed member

Instrumental in the emerging Labour Party, involved in drawing up clause IV of constitution. Committed Labour to common ownership, but retained that this would only come about through the existing political system

Question 4

Webb’s 1909 ‘Minority Report of the Royal Commission on the Poor Laws’

Answer 4

Key author

Examined the state’s approach to poverty

Argued the state should offer ‘a sufficient nourishment and training when young, a living wage when able bodied, treatment when sick, and a modest but secure livelihood when disabled or aged’

Preparation for the ‘Beveridge Report’ 1942 and the subsequent welfare state