Beatrice Webb

Question 1

key ideas

Answer 1

1. the ‘inevitability of gradualness’: establishing socialism peacefully by passing democratic reforms gradually through existing parliamentary institutions
2. the ‘economic side of democracy’: the expansion of the state, rather than its overthrow, will deliver socialism

Question 2

human nature

Answer 2

• Webb believed that workers were limited, selfish and uninformed, so democracy should be representative
• representative democracy was preferabe because it would lead to a skilled ‘socialist’ governing class subject to democratic constraints

Question 3

the state

Answer 3

the gradual growth of state power was evidence hat collectivism would bring in a new socialist age. the expanding state had ‘silently changed its character’.

Question 4

society

Answer 4

the state’s ability to deliver socialism would depend heavily on highly trained specialists and administrators to organise society and the economy