The contributors to this book, first published in 1971, analyse as International Socialists the economic and social issues of modern society. Their findings were controversial, as was the alternative they proposed - the overthrow of the British system and its replacement by a society based on workers' control.

Part 1. Britain and the Old Left 1. A Prologue: A Day in the Life of the Fifties Peter Sedgwick 2. The Decline of the Welfare State Jim Kincaid 3. Parliamentary Socialism Paul Foot Part 2. World Capitalism Today 4. Imperialism Today Nigel Harris 5. The Eastern Bloc Chris Harman 6. Capitalism - the Last Stage Michael Kidron Part 3. What Is To Be Done? 7. The Class Struggle in Britain Tony Cliff 8. The Way Forward Duncan Hallas