ABSTRACT
According to George Jacob Holyoake’s History of Co-operation, James Napier Bailey was originally a Lancashire schoolmaster, and one of Robert Owen’s earliest supporters. Thanks to his erudition and public speaking skills, Bailey became one of the Owenite movement’s Social Missionaries, and was later appointed to the Central Board of the Rational Society in 1838. As a strong proponent of democratic government, Bailey was highly critical of Owen’s paternal leadership. His publication, the Model Republic, was founded in January 1843 to advocate his views, which he called “Republican” or “Chartist Socialism”. In the article, which can be considered his manifesto, Bailey explained that true democracy could only be implemented via universal male suffrage and a fully elected government and parliament. By being representative of all classes, the new regime would foster shared interests, thus applying the Owenite ideal of community to all areas of political life.
