Socialism: Utopian and Scientific

Book Review

Friedrich Engels' book «Socialism: Utopian and Scientific» is an important work in Marxist literature, where the author outlines the evolution of socialist thought from utopian ideas to scientific socialism. Engels analyzes the works of utopians like Saint-Simon, Fourier, and Owen, highlighting their shortcomings and emphasizing that their ideas were based on abstract principles rather than scientific analysis of society. Critics note that Engels masterfully explains how historical materialism and Marx's dialectical approach transformed socialism into a scientific theory based on economic and social laws. The book is praised for its clarity and logical exposition, as well as its contribution to understanding the development of socialist theory. However, some critics point out that Engels may have underestimated the contribution of utopians to the development of socialist thought, focusing on their shortcomings. Nevertheless, the work remains a key text for studying Marxist theory and the history of socialism.