Paper Summary:

This paper shows that Fabian socialism was important to the formation of the Canadian welfare state, and that despite great social and economic changes since that time, Fabian ideals are still relevant for the protection of social programs. The paper first discusses the origins of Fabianism and the Fabian elements of Canadian social program development. The paper then looks at the challenges of globalization and the information age and how the state is responding to them. Finally, the paper looks at the future directions for the welfare state and Fabianism.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
The Origins Of Fabianism
Fabian Elements Of Canadian Social Program Development
The End Of The "Golden Age" Of Social Programs
The Spectre Of Globalisation
Reflections On The Problems Afflicting Social Programs And Their Provision
Fabianism Today
Future Directions For The Welfare State And Fabianism

From the Paper:

"An alternative strategy would entail a more activist Fabian Society, which would turn its research capabilities towards the development of international norms, in order to strengthen the presence of governments in the international sphere. Through its connections to the Labor Party, it could lobby those in power to press for what would amount to codes of conduct governing international economic transactions, which would not be influenced by neoliberal thinking. Additionally, the Society could research ways in which social programs could better address new concerns arising from the proliferation of high technology, which, as discussed earlier, plays a role in the weakening of national communities in favor of those based on interests. From this work, it could share its proposals with decision-makers, at least in one nation, and try to influence the outcome. In this way, Fabian ideals could be revitalized, and made more relevant to citizens and decision-makers alike, and in so doing strengthen the case for the welfare state still further, and make an important contribution to preserving it. Whatever strategy is chosen, if any, it is clear that, far from being a spent force, Fabianism is relevant to the current discourse on the future of the welfare state, and its capabilities should not be discounted."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Beer, Max. A History of British Socialism, Vol. 2 (London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd., 1953).
• Clarke, William. The Fabian Society. In The Fabian Essays in Socialism. Ed. G. Bernard Shaw. Boston: The Ball Publishing Co., 1908. pp xi-xxix.
• Cole, Margaret. The Story of Fabian Socialism (London: Heinemann Educational Books Ltd., 1961).
• Hall, Michael H. Reed, Paul B. Shifting the burden: how much can government download to the non-profit sector? In Canadian Public Administration. Ed. Paul G. Thomas, Vol. 41 no 1 (Spring 1998). Toronto: The Institute of Public Administration of Canada. pp. 1-20.
• Harris, Richard G. The Public Debt and the Social Policy Round. In Paying Our Way: The Welfare State in Hard Times (Eds. John Richards and William G. Watson, Toronto: C.D. Howe Institute, 1994), pp 1-31.

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