Published in the aftermath of the failed Paris Commune, this book presents a critical and nuanced analysis of socialist movements in Europe during the mid-19th century. Drawing on a wealth of primary sources and personal experience, Beesly argues that socialism must be grounded in practical concerns and a rigorous understanding of political economy.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.