Bevanism
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Bevanism was the ideological argument for the Bevanites, a movement on the centre left of the Labour Party in the late 1950s and led by Nye Bevan. The main points were:
- State Control of the "commanding heights" (a phrase first used by Vladimir Lenin) of the economy, as opposed to wholesale nationalisation.
- Social Liberalism.
- Lack of Dogma.
- A belief that "things can only get better"
- Respect for the Arts.
- A general radical feel.
- The ability to drop unpopular policies.
- Anti-fascism.
- Opposition to extremists in general.
John Reid, the current Secretary of State for Health, regards New Labour as the natural heir of Bevanism.
see also: