Many people now think of socialism as an outdated ideology. In this Very Short Introduction, Michael Newman seeks to contextualise it, explaining the evolution of socialist ideas from the French Revolution to the present day, and examining why past attempts to implement socialism might have failed. This fresh approach offers a unique understanding of both the theory and practice involved, and how closely the two are related. In addition to providing readers with a strong sense of socialism's relevance in today's world, the author emphasises the inevitable close ties between socialism and notions of democracy, freedom, and equality.