This volume offers new perspectives on the appeal and profound cultural meaning of socialism over the past two centuries. It brings together scholarship from various disciplines addressing diverse national contexts including Britain China France Germany Norway Sweden and the USA. Taken together the contributions highlight the aesthetic narrative and religious dimensions of socialism as it has developed through three broad phases in the modern era: early nineteenth-century beginnings mass-based political organizations and the attainment of state power in the twentieth century and beyond. Socialism did not attract millions of people primarily because of logical argument and empirical evidence important though those were. Rather it told the most compelling story about the past present and future. Refocusing attention on socialism's imaginative dimensions this volume aims to revive scholarly interest in one of the modern worldÂs most important political orientations. . Language: English