Crosland's Future

Anthony Crosland, a member of Harold Wilson's cabinet and the author of The Future of Socialism, was immensely influential in seeking to modernise the ideology of the Labour Party, to put opportunity and empowerment, the fairness of life chances and the sharing of social experiences at its centre in place of nationalisation. The party's belated redefinition guarantees a prominent role in its intellectual history to the revisionists' champion. Though Crosland wrote when economic growth could be taken for granted as the basis for social reform, his emphasis on fairness and community, on education and opportunity, continues to illuminate political debate in harder times.

'Tony Crosland was the greatest thinker the British left has produced this century...David Reisman is a bold man to write an account of Crosland's life and opinions while some of Tony's former acolytes are still alive, because they are an argumentative and stroppy bunch. His beautifully produced books are entirely successful in outlining Crosland's clear but often complex chain of reasoning. I imagine that they will amaze their general readership, especially the younger portion, who, accustomed only to the vacuous soundbite, must have forgotten that there was a time when political debate was intelligent and meaningful. Reisman has also accomplished the much more difficult task of capturing the flavour of the man.' - Brian Walden, Literary Review

'These two studies on the legacy of the only philosopher-king produced by the British left in the second half of the 20th century deserve to be required reading, at least in the present Labour leader's office.' - Anthony Howard, The Times

'Crosland's Future is essential reading for any member of the Shadow Cabinet who regards it as important to have a framework of ethical belief on which the individual policies, and for that matter soundbites, can be hung.' - Roy Hattersley, The Guardian

David Reisman's two volumes of intellectual biography and analysis [are] the most careful and thought-provoking exegesis yet to appear.' - Ben Pimlott, London Reivew of Books

DAVID REISMAN