Laski on Democracy and Revolution in the Historical Trajectory

Without rejecting his pluralist and democratic socialist principles, Laski conceded in the 1930s that Marxism had enhanced his understanding of the capitalist state and the domestic and international crises to which it led. Nevertheless, for him, as this chapter discusses, while the trajectory to a better society was not entirely predicable, force should be avoided, as it may provoke reactionary change. The chapter examines his view that understanding the modern state helps foster a grasp of what is required on the path forward. His belief in what is needed to progress from liberalism is discussed, and his position regarding Marx's materialist conception of history is examined. For him, it was crucial to focus on the defeat of fascism/Nazism. This would require recognition by the vested interests and the middle class that consenting to great social change would mean they would lose less than if, as he deemed likely, they would face violent revolution.