“A better world is possible”
We attended the book launch of faculty member Eunice Goes’ Social Democracy. Eunice is a Professor of Politics at Richmond and teaches various classes such as Political Ideologies, Policy-Making in the Globalised World and British Politics: Inside Parliament.
Aimed at students and beginners, Dr. Goes frames Social Democracy as a series of ‘stories’; “I am not a historian, I am a social scientist,” she said, introducing her book to the audience.
She was joined by panel members Andrew Harrop, General Secretary of the Fabian Society; Professor Patrick Diamond from Queen Mary University of London; Dr. Isabelle Hertner from King’s College, London and Dr. Marius S. Ostrowski from University of Nottingham. Each gave insightful feedback and questions to Eunice about her book.
The event was hosted by the Fabian Society – “the future of the left since 1884,” a line written on a banner in deep and unmistakable red behind the panel. Now a Think Tank, it was originally founded as an offshoot of another society, Fellowship of the New Life, but with more intention to directly influence and campaign for policies, where the former society was less politically active. The Society has been instrumental in a lot of Labour party policy – and left policies in general; they include their own detailed history on their website here. The Fabian Society has inspired branches to open all over the world, including America, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, making them truly global – just like Richmond!
Social Democracy is a story in four acts, telling the story of a tumultuous and ever adapting political & social ideology over a period of two centuries, in a self-described “succinct and accessible fashion” (2024: 3). The other books in the series by Agenda Publishing include Conservatism by Mark Garnett, Thatcherism by Peter Dorey, and Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament by Martin Shaw. The series offers short histories of big topics – perfect for students, teachers, and curious beginners alike.
I got the chance to purchase a copy at the launch. I’m not a politics expert (or even student) and was able to follow along; Dr. Goes’ language is clear, simple, and rather moving. The simplicity of needing to work together as a key theme of the work gives the reading experience a kind of pathos, connecting us to what might seem a faraway history and people.
During the launch, an audience member asked Dr. Goes what she thought about the future of social democracy – Will it survive? Can it adapt to our needs? What can we do? – the very thing she writes as uncertain throughout book. None of us can really know, but George Santayana’s wise words come to mind: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” This book provides a past so that we can look to the future better equipped. The message of the book is best summarised by Dr. Goes’ signature on my copy: “A better world is possible.”
You can purchase Social Democracy directly from the publisher here. Many congratulations to Dr. Goes on a successful book launch!
