The Coefficients was a monthlydining club founded in 1902 by theFabian campaignersSidney andBeatrice Webb as a forum for British socialist reformers andimperialists of theEdwardian era.[1] The name of the dining club was a reflection of the group's focus on "efficiency".[2]
The Webbs proposed that the club's membership reflect the entire gamut of political beliefs, and "proposed to collect politicians from each of the parties". Representing theLiberal Imperialists were Sir Edward Grey and Richard Burdon Haldane; theTories were represented by economistWilliam Hewins and editor of theNational ReviewLeopold Maxse; and theBritish military was represented byLeo Amery, an "expert on the conditions of the army", andCarlyon Bellairs, a naval officer.[2]
The club's membership included:[3]
Wells was recruited because he was deemed "capable of original thoughts on every subject" and proved to be "an especially active member".[2]
The Webbs came up with the idea of the dinner club as a forum for "serious discussions and to formulate or propose political policy", but shortly after its founding the members "abandoned immediate political goals" but continued to meet and discuss issues of interest. Haldane hosted the first dinner at his home in December 1902.[2]
In 1903 Bertrand Russell, who believed that theEntente cordiale policy would lead to war, resigned after Edward Grey espoused it in a speech.[4] The group was further divided over the issue ofTariff Reform followingJoseph Chamberlain's resignation asSecretary of State for the Colonies and the increasing dominance of thepro-Unionist membership, which favoured Chamberlain and his tariff reform policies, contributed to the club's dissolution in 1909.[5] Amery would invite those Coefficients supporting reform to form a new club called "The Compatriots".[6]
Printed minutes of its meetings are held by theBritish Library of Political and Economic Science.