Fabian Society | Definition, Founders & Ideology | Study.com
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Fabian Society | Definition, Founders & Ideology

Instructor Thomas Sullivan

Thomas Sullivan has ten years of experience teaching software applications to college freshmen and adults in retraining. He has a bachelor’s degree in history from Vanderbilt University and a master's degree in resource economics from Washington State University.

Learn about the Fabian Society. Study Fabianism and read about the Fabian socialists' dedication to the gradual implementation of socialism through democratic means. Updated: 04/21/2023

The Fabian Society is a British socialist organization founded in 1884 in London. It is still active today and promotes the gradual implementation of socialism through democratic means as opposed to advocating for revolution. Among the society's contributions is the development of the United Kingdom's Labour Party and the society is still influential in left-wing politics today. The contemporary Fabian Society calls itself the "future of the left" and has made a name for itself as a supporter of democratic socialism and social justice. The Fabian Society has a long history of advocating for progressive political policies.

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A group of intellectuals and activists seeking to promote socialist ideas and influence political change in the United Kingdom founded the Fabian Society. They named the society after the Roman General Fabius Maximus, who was known for his strategy of using delay and stealth to defeat enemies rather than engaging in open conflict. This was an approach the founders saw as symbolizing the society's commitment to promoting socialist ideals through gradual, incremental change rather than revolutionary action. Notable members included:

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Fabian socialists believe in the establishment of a socialist economic system with several tenets, including a more equitable distribution of wealth, the promotion of social justice and universal access to education, the elimination of poverty and inequality, the defense of democratic values, and the empowerment of citizens.

At the core of Fabianism is the belief that gradual, incremental change is the most effective way to achieve these goals, rather than seeking to achieve them through revolutionary action. Fabian socialists advocate for the use of democratic means to bring about social and political change. They believe that this change can be achieved through the actions of individuals and groups within society, rather than relying on the actions of the state. In practice, this has often meant supporting progressive political policies and campaigning for the implementation of reforms that promote social justice and equality. Fabian socialists have also been active in advocating for the expansion of the welfare state and the provision of public services, as well as promoting the rights and empowerment of marginalized groups within society.

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The Fabian Society is a British socialist organization founded in 1884 in London. The Ancient Roman General Fabius Maximus inspired the group's name, as he favored a more stealthy approach to defeat his enemies, avoiding open conflict. The Fabian Society's goal is to promote the gradual implementation of socialism through democratic means. It was instrumental in the development of the United Kingdom's Labour Party and continues to be influential in left-wing politics.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Fabian Society still exist?

Yes, the Fabian Society is still active today. It is a British socialist organization that was founded in 1884 in London and continues to be influential in left-wing politics.

Where was the Fabian Society founded?

The Fabian Society was founded in London, United Kingdom in 1884. Throughout its history, the Fabian Society has kept its headquarters in London.

Who started the Fabian Society?

Thomas Davidson, George Bernard Shaw, Sidney and Beatrice Webb, and Graham Wallas, all influential figures in the development of socialist thought, founded the Fabian Society. Davidson was a Scottish philosopher and writer and Shaw was an Irish playwright, critic, and political activist. The Webbs were a husband-and-wife team known for their research and writing on social and economic issues. Wallas was a professor of political science who wrote on a variety of subjects.

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