The publication of the first four in a new series of booklets of interest to socialists deserves some attention. The series is entitled "Perspectives on Work, Welfare, and Society", is published by Sheed and Ward, and edited by Ian Clegg.
The price in each case is a little high at 5/-. The series is described as "a new attempt to analyse these developments (the crisis in British society) from a socialist standpoint." In fact, rather than representing a new analysis the series is useful as a presentation in outline of some basic socialist ideas, and as an introduction to the various subjects in a form which should appeal to readers newly drawn to them.
(1) INDUSTRIAL DEMOCRACY
written by Ian Clegg.
This deals with the theory and the practice of industrial democracy: its conclusions are very much in favour of workers control as a concept very different from the various forms of participation. In fact "participation" is seen (correctly) as an attempt to wean workers away from socialism, as a mystification. An outline history of socialist ideas on industrial democracy is given and this is briefly contrasted with the capitalist view of industrial democracy as a way of increasing productivity and profitability.
The authors illustrates his argument with a description of the various forms of participation in the USA, Britain and West Germany, and of the experiences of Yugoslav, Polish, and Algerian workers.
(2) A SHORT HISTORY OF THE BRITISH LABOUR MOVEMENT
written by Logie Berrow.
This booklet is very much an outline account of the development of the Trade Union movement in Britain, and of the socialist ideas and movements which developed with it. In a pamphlet of under sixty pages it is inevitable that the account will be sketchy, but given the useful bibliography, it serves a purpose as an introduction to the subject.
(3) CLASS AND POWER
Written by Diana Marcuand and Ian Clegg.
The authors here concern themselves with reasserting some basic socialist concepts of class and refuting various anti-socialist arguments which gained some currency owing to the widespread illusions that in modern British capitalism wealth was being more equally distributed. The refutation is based on well-chosen statistical evidence to which a substantial part of the booklet is devoted.
Important information is given to illustrate the fact that the distribution of wealth and property has become LESS equal over the last few years. Figures cover the social basis of the Civil Service and of Parliament, and the interrelationships of major companies. A weakness is perhaps the absence of an account of the tendency in modern capitalism towards internationalisation of major industry, most notably the car industry. However, this does not detract from the usefulness of the figures given on inequality, which is the main theme of the book.
(4) UNIONS AND STRIKES
written by James Hinton.
A brief description of the main unions and the main trends in the movement, which pays some attention to the differentiation between the leaderships and rank and file, and the relationship between the unions and the state.
All the above are available from: Pioneer Book Service, 6, Toynbee St., London E.1. Costing 5/- each, add 10% extra for postage.