Principles of Socialism: Manifesto of 19th Century Democracy (Washington Studies In World Intellectual History)

The leading disciple of 19th century utopian socialist Charles Fourier, Victor Considerant expounded and moderated Fourier's theories in an attempt to found a utopian community near Dallas, Texas. His 1847 treatise sought to utilize social science for the organization of peaceful societies, the productive development of resources, and fair worker's rights. Reeling from the chaotic economic and social aftermath of the French Revolution, this text offered a nonrevolutionary approach to socialism, calling for balance between the right to property and the right to an adequate standard of living, and a gradual increase in political participation in proportion to increases in the educational level. Highly influential in formulating 19th century economic and political thought, this modern translation brings these seminal ideas to contemporary English readers.