Socialism Versus the State (1919)

Socialism Versus The State is a book written by Emile Vandervelde in 1919. Vandervelde was a Belgian socialist politician and philosopher who played a significant role in the development of the socialist movement in Europe. In this book, he explores the fundamental differences between socialism and the state, arguing that socialism is a fundamentally different system of government that seeks to replace the state altogether.Vandervelde begins by examining the origins of the state, tracing its development from primitive societies to the modern nation-state. He argues that the state is inherently oppressive, serving the interests of the ruling class and perpetuating inequality and exploitation. In contrast, socialism seeks to create a society based on cooperation and equality, where the means of production are owned and controlled by the workers themselves.Throughout the book, Vandervelde critiques the existing socialist movements of his time, arguing that many of them had become too closely aligned with the state and had lost sight of their revolutionary goals. He also discusses the role of the state in the transition to socialism, arguing that it must be dismantled and replaced by a new system of democratic control.Overall, Socialism Versus The State is a powerful critique of the existing political and economic systems of the early 20th century, and a call to action for those who believe in the transformative power of socialism. It remains an important work for anyone interested in the history and theory of socialism, and its ongoing relevance in the modern world.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.