The British Idealists made significant and lasting contributions to the social and political thought of the nineteenth century. They contributed to all the major debates of their day, including evolution, democracy, the role of the state, education and international relations, and are commonly acknowledged as the forerunners of modern communitarian theory. The introduction develops the themes illustrated in the writings of the British Idealists. This volume also contains a biography of the British Idealists that incorporates a guide to their principal works.