Socialism, Utopian and Scientific

Socialism: Utopian and Scientific is one of the most important books on socialism, first published in 1880 by German-born socialist Friedrich Engels. The work was primarily extracted from a longer polemic work published in 1876. It is still an important source of information on socialism.

Friedrich Engels (1820-1895), German philosopher, social scientist, and journalist, stands as a towering figure alongside his close collaborator, Karl Marx. Engels is best known for his critical role in the foundation of Marxist theory, which later influenced the rise of socialist and communist ideologies around the world. His seminal work, 'Socialism, Utopian and Scientific,' clearly distinguishes between the idealistic, utopian socialism of early thinkers and the practical, scientific socialism that he and Marx envisioned, which was rooted in a materialist understanding of society's development and class struggle. Engels's multidisciplinary approach, evident in his writing, combined history, philosophy, and economics to address the conditions of the proletariat and the need for a revolutionary transformation of capitalist society. Engels's contributions to literature go beyond his political-economic theories, as he also co-authored 'The Communist Manifesto' with Marx, providing a manifesto for the communist movement. His analytical skills are also displayed in the work 'The Condition of the Working Class in England,' where Engels provides an empirical study of the effects of the industrial revolution on the English working class. Engels's comprehensive approach to scholarship and his commitment to social and economic reform left an indelible mark on political thought and praxis, firmly establishing his place among the foremost thinkers of the modern era.