Bücher von Stephen Yeo

Starting with an unusual, 'revivalist' phase in the history of socialism in the late 1880s and early 1890s, this book goes on to explore the distinctive character of socialism in English history more widely understood. The book characterises 'the three socialisms': associationism, statism and collectivism...

This book begins with 'ways of seeing' the lives and times of religious and other organisations as instances of cultural creativity, and as rival clusters of social potential. It tells the story of class conflict over forms of association - for example between the Friendly Societies and the private insurance industry since National Insurance began with Lloyd George in 1911. Stephen uses his experience at Ruskin College to think practically as well as historically about co-operative schools, 'access' to Higher Education and the idea of a co-operative university. The book ends by suggesting ways forward for Co-operative Studies and co-operative politics - examining the obstacles and opportunities facing twenty-first century Co-operative and Mutual Enterprise.

Holyoake was a classic example of Gramsci’s working-class ‘organic intellectual’.  An Owenite ‘social missionary’, he became a Radical Liberal, Secularist and Co-operator, responsible for the legend of ‘the Rochdale Pioneers’.  A journalist, thinker, multiple ‘joiner’ and promoter of freedom in many settings, Holyoake was also a highly-readable stylist.  An influential 19th century public figure, his life and work have recently been neglected among co-operators as by well historians. The case for reviving work on his ideas is powerful.