ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the writings of two economists whom William Booth claimed as influences. These were Robert Flint and W. H. Mallock. Booth would probably have accepted Mallock's views of enforced equality. Booth used an illustration in his lecture that was very similar to that used by Mallock in Social Equality. Flint's book shared many economic stances with Mallock although its tone was more conciliatory and the conclusions more central. Flint opposed socialism on the grounds that it sacrificed the legitimate liberties of individuals to the will and interest of the community. Booth was to define socialism to his officers as the absolute supremacy of the state with regard to the fundamental liberty of the individuals composing the community. There were many links between Salvationism and socialism during the period, which were recognised by socialists themselves and their opponents, if rarely articulated by the Salvationists.
