11.3 Equality Flashcards
What are 3 aspects of equality that all socialists agree on?
- Foundational Equality
- Rejection of natural hierarchies
- Equality of opportunity
How do revolutionary socialists and democratic socialists differ in regards to equality of opportunity?
- Marx, Engels and Luxemburg argued that equality of opportunity can only be achieved after a revolution
- Democratic socialist Beatrice Webb argued that equality of opportunity could only be achieved by reforming capitalism to the point that it is a truly socialist society
What is the social democracy view on equality of opportunity?
Crosland argued for progressive taxation and to allow an even distribution of opportunities via an expansive welfare state
What is the 3rd Way view on equality of opportunity?
Equality of opportunity needs to target the neediest in society: the underclass
What type of benefits did Anthony Giddens advocate?
Means-tested benefits e.g. education
What did revolutionary socialists argue about equality of outcome?
Marx, Engels and Luxemburg dismissed equality of outcome as it presupposed that capitalism could be rid of exploitation, which they believed to be impossible
What did Democratic Socialist Beatrice Webb argue about equality of outcome?
Webb argued for a gradual incremental process so that income would eventually be far more evenly distributed - not absolute equality but substantially fairer
Why was Social Democrat Anthony Crosland against pure equality of outcome?
Crosland felt it would weaken the economy by acting as a disincentive to wealth creators
What did Anthony Giddens argue equality of outcome was?
Impracticable and a disincentive and would damage the economy
What is absolute equality?
Suggests that all individuals should receive the same rewards as long as the contributions that are made to society are made to the best of their ability
What did Marx, Engels and Luxemburg believe about the economy in regards to absolute equality?
They believed that in an economy based on common ownership and collectivisation material rewards would be based on needs. Each individual would contribute to society and then take what they needed
What did Webb believe about absolute equality?
Webb did not advocate absolute equality, envisaging some wage differences
What did Anthony Crosland dismiss absolute equality as?
Utopian - he accepted that in a meritocratic mixed economy those who contributed more would be rewarded accordingly
What did Anthony Giddens believe about absolute equality?
It was a flawed concept, Giddens accepted that inequality was a natural consequence of society
Why do revolutionary socialists reject equality of welfare?
Marx, Engels and Luxemburg rejected equality of welfare for its failure to remove capitalism