This volume is representative of the historical works of a particular period (1923-29) when there was a hiatus in the output of Cole the theoretician. It is an extraordinary contribution to labour history and is among the finest of his historical works.

This volume compares the planning of economic conditions under the very different political systems of Soviet Russia, Fascist Germany and Italy and Democratic America, with some discussion of partial economic planning in Great Britain. It includes a broad survey of the successive phases of the Five Year Plans in the Soviet Union, the "New Deal" in the United States, and the diversion of the German economic activity to war preparation under the Nazi Four Year Plan. The author discusses the essential conditions for successful economic planning.

This text represents an important stage in the development of an indigenous theory. The argument is presented with the special qualities of cogency and perception which have given the author a lasting influence within the labour movement.

This title is Cole's most systematic account of his vision of industrial and political reorganization. It develops the theme of democratic citizenship in relation to industrial society, and provides a view of socialist organization in which citizenship is a vital ingredient in every arena.