Durkheim’s study of socialism, first published in English in 1959, is a document of exceptional intellectual interest and a genuine milestone in the history of sociological theory. It presents us with the sociological theories of a truly first-rate thinker and his extensive commentary upon another key figure in the history of sociological thought, Henri Saint-Simon. The core of this volume contains Durkheim’s presentation of Saint-Simon’s ideas, their sources and their development.

Contents

1. Definition of Socialism 2. Socialism and Communism 3. Socialism in the Eighteenth Century 4. Sismondi 5. The Life and Work of Saint-Simon 6. The Doctrine of Saint-Simon: The Foundation of Positivism 7. Historic Origins of the Industrial System and the Doctrine of Saint-Simon 8. The Organisation of the Industrial System 9. Internationalism and Religion 10. Saint-Simon - Critical Conclusions 11. The Saint-Simon School