A Matter of Monopolies: G. B. Shaw's Criticism of the European Intelligentsia

G. B. Shaw is often described as an author full of contradictions in terms of politics and understanding of human society. He frequently shifts from an anti-parliamentary perspective to the idea of economic individualism and social democracy. Shaw mixes his belief in the human value of freedom and self-realisation with an admiration for some of the worst dictatorships of the 20th century. The contradictory nature of his views makes the analysis of his thought even more complex and makes Shaw an author who does not fit into the classic categories of historians. Despite these difficulties, this work attempts to capture the continuity and homogeneity of his thought through the category of power. Indeed, the critique of monopolies of power, whether economic, political, or cultural, seems to be a constant and recurring element in Shaw's works that can serve as a guide to the complexity of his ideas.