A comparative evaluation of the ethical socialism of Tawney and Crosland

• Main Author: Slater, Simon Clive
• Published: University of Liverpool 2011
• Subjects: 320.531
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.569531

The purpose of my research has been to consider the philosophical foundations for socialism with specific reference to the work of R.H. Tawney and Anthony Crosland. I have considered five possible ideological justifications which have been used as a benchmark from which to consider the thought of Tawney and Crosland and discover how they justified their case for socialism. These justifications are: Christianity, community, Rawlsian philosophy, rights of citizenship and utilitarianism. The overarching goal of the research was to discover the main justifications for socialism in Britain. As Tawney and Crosland can be considered two of the greatest and most influential British socialists of the twentieth century, whose influence is still felt today, I believed a comparative study of the two in relation to the five justifications outlined above would give the best understanding of how socialism in Britain is, and has been justified. The originality of the research can be considered in three areas. Firstly, it is the first full length comparative study between the socialism of Tawney and Crosland. Secondly, neither the work of Tawney or Crosland has been considered in relation to the five outlined ideological justifications. In this sense the study is original as it has looked at the ideological foundations of the work of both Tawney and Crosland. Finally, the interviews with politicians in relation to the five themes makes the research original because they have given a unique and interesting insight into the reasons for why Tawney and Crosland were socialists and how their ideas have been understood within the Labour movement. Overall the socialism of both Tawney and Crosland has a strong ethical basis. Tawney's socialism is explicitly Christian in justification and is the main reason for Tawney being a socialist. Crosland's socialism is also ethical but it is not Christian and also draws heavily upon rights of citizenship and the work of Rawls to justify his socialism.