Land and Liberty, March 2002
This biography offers a warm and well-researched portrait of this teacher of political thought.
Book Description
This biography of a Labour MP also serves as a history of British social reform in the early 20th century, when the eradication of poverty was the central goal of progressive politicians and intellectuals. MacLarens story reveals the major influence the American social reformer Henry George had on the Liberal and Labour Parties, and on Winston Churchill, who saw in his reform a method of eradicating poverty and social injustices of the 19th century without diminishing the liberty and sturdy independence of the individual. In 1943 MacLaren resigned from the party as Labour moved towards a Beveridge-style welfare state, which he opposed as institutional charity instead of justice. Sixty years later a Labour government is still trying to eradicate poverty by the same failed means. This book offers valuable ideas for todays socio-economic problems.