2 Differing views and tensions within socialism Flashcards
1
Q
revolutionary socialism
2 main schools of revolutionary socialism?
A
- utopian socialism
- marxism
2
Q
utopian socialism
2 main thinkers
A
- Robert Owen
- Charles Fourier
3
Q
utopian socialism
what did they dislike?
A
- free-market capitalism
- ## they proposed small scale cooperative communities to replace it
4
Q
utopian socialism
success of utopian socialism?
A
all utopian socialist societies in the 19th centuries failed
5
Q
marxism
what were Marx and Engels the first to argue?
A
- human nature has been corrupted by capitalism
- capitalist economies can be criticised
- social class is at the heart of socialism
- the state is a puppet of the ruling class
- a revolution is needed and inevitable
6
Q
marxism
what is their theory of revolution based on?
A
- historic materialism
- dialetic
- social class
- class consciousness
7
Q
marxism
Historic materialism: economic conflict is the catalyst for social development. Examples?
A
- Eg. Slave society, feudal society, and capitalism
- the economic base supported by private property forms the superstructure (culture) that is the foundation of society enforced by the state
8
Q
marxism
what was historical development driven by according to Marx? what were his final 5 stages in society?
A
- dialectic change (clash)
- revolution, destruction of capitalism, and a socialist society.
9
Q
marxism
how is social class central to the perception of human history?
A
- the capitalist stage sees the ruling class take the surplus value of the workers and exploit them
10
Q
marxism
according to marx: what will start the revolution? History will then what? what will end?
A
- class consciousness will start the revolution
- then the end of capitalism and the state
- and the perfect communist society (end of history)
11
Q
Rosa Luxemburg revising Marx/Engels
what kind of thinker was luxemberg ( similiar to marx )
A
- a determinist
= individuals are slaves to history otuside of their control
12
Q
Rosa Luxemburg revising Marx/Engels
Lenins voluntarism
A
- people make history
- historical change isnt inevitable
13
Q
Rosa Luxemburg revising Marx/Engels
what did Lenin argue during the russian revollution?
A
- there must be a ‘vanguardian elite’ to guide the population
14
Q
Rosa Luxemburg revising Marx/Engels
how did she agree with marx/engels over revolution?
A
- she argued the proletariats struggle for reform would create class conciousness and overthrow the capitalist society and state
- she didn’t completely agree with Marx and Engels
15
Q
Rosa Luxemburg revising Marx/Engels
how did she disagree with marx/engels?
HM, DEM, DICT
A
- historic materialism: less developed countries could also have revolutions. They didnt have to wait for capitalism to reach its final stage
- no need for democracy: after the revolution, without democracy ‘life dies in every institution’
- dictatorship: Luxemburg often predicted the dictatorship that occured in countries that had marxist inspired revolutions (china, russia)
16
Q
Rosa Luxemburg revising Marx/Engels
examples of the state growing rather than being withered
A
- castro (cuba)
- chairman mao (china)
- stalin (russia)
none of these attained communism
in all of these cases communism was nationalist rather than internationalist as Marx, Engels, and Luxemburg advocated
17
Q
Social Democracy: revisionism
why was revisionism necessary for social democrats/
WW2
A
- post war germany and the uk
- socialism was facing hostility in the west as the cold war unfolded
- revisionist socialists had to accept the post-war boom was increasing living standards rather than alienating the working class
18
Q
Social Democracy: revisionism
How did Social democrats like Crosland disagree with Webb, Marx, Engels, and Luxemberg over social change?
A
- he said he recognised the world as what it was rather than what traditionalist socialists might want it to be
- he stated contradictions within capitalism did not drive social change
19
Q
Social Democracy: revisionism
how did Webb and Crosland disagree over nationalisation?
A
- Webb thought all industry should be nationalised to achieve common ownership and an economy coordinated by technocrats
- Crosland thought high levels of collectivism threatened freedom and initiative.
Crosland abandoned replacing and favoured reforming capitalism
20
Q
Social Democracy: revisionism
social democracys key ideas
economy and state
A
- mixed economy: blend of free-market capitalism and state collectivism
- state management: facilitating the mixed economy by state management of it for continuous growth with full employment and keynesian economics
- welfare state: promoting equality of opportunity
21
Q
Social Democracy: social justice
how would economics be used to achieve social justice?
A
- managed capitalism over laissez-faire to achieve social justive
‘i could not tolerate the indefensible differences of status and income that disfigure our society’
22
Q
Social Democracy: social justice
what did social democracy propose in terms of distributing wealth?
A
- distributing free market welath evenly.
23
Q
Social Democracy: social justice
How would social justice be promoted for Crosland?
A
- progressive taxation
- ensuring proceeds were fairly distributed across the welfare state
- tackling inequality of opportunity (especially within education)
24
Q
Social Democracy: social justice
what did Crosland argue in terms of education?
SE ES, CE
A
- social engineerign to ensure an egalitarian society
Grammar schools favoured middle-class children - comprehensive education would decrease class division
25
# Social Democracy: social justice
how was social democracy abandoning Webbs ideas?
- not a fully socialist state which would have eradicated free-market capitalism, and settled instead for reforming it.
26
# Social Democracy: social justice
social democracy ideas about social justice?
1. social democracy was the first branch of socialism to recognise the role of a free market and private enterprise
2. keynesian economics would ensure continual full employment and growth
3. Crosland argued keynesianism *legitimised the doctrine of equality'* and was an attack *'on the free market of the day'*
Crosland would not accept vast inequality adn advocated for progressive taxation
27
# Social Democracy: social justice
however, keynesianism should not be what? what did social democracy favour?
- equated to socialism
- collective state intervention and management of the economy was favoured by socialism
- whereas keynes wanted to preserve capitalism rather than change it
28
# Social Democracy: social justice vs economic management
what was social democracy a marriage between?
- economic efficiency and egalitarian social justice
29
# Social Democracy: social justice vs economic management
when was Keynesian economics no longer viable?
- **1973** oil crisis (gov couldnt spend their way out of crisis)
- **1976** IMF loan: for neo-liberals this demonstrated the flaws in believing the state could control the economy.
30
# Social Democracy: social justice vs economic management
how was the welfare state in a crisis after **1976**?
| industrial relations, welfare, tax, buisiness, jobs
- pay rises were impossible
- welfare state was in crisis
- tax revenues decreased
- buisinesses struggled
- mass unemployment
risisng public spending could not be maintained
31
# Social Democracy: social justice vs economic management
thatchers influence
- labours percieved economic instability enabled Thatchers election from the new right
32
# the third way
4 main points the third way trumped?
| FM, C, C, EoO
1. **Free market** over state planning
2. embarcing **competition** in state
3. embarcing **community**, responsibility and social inclusion
4. **equality of opportunity** most importantly
33
# the third way: recognition of the free market over state planning
which model did Giddens reject of socialism
- the 'cybernetic model' where the state acts as the artificial brain that manipulated society and the economy
34
# the third way: recognition of the free market over state planning
what idea of Webbs did Giddens also reject
| webb (democratic socialsit) and crosland (socia ldemocrat)
- webbs common ownership and croslands keynesian state management for a dynamic free market
35
# the third way: recognition of the free market over state planning
giddens and globalisation?
- weakened Keynesian economic solutions
36
# the third way: recognition of the free market over state planning
New Labour: top tax? neo-liberal economy?
- they kept top rate of income tax to 40%
- neo-liberal economy over state managed economy grew by 2.4% annually under Blair
- This also allowed public spending to grow 39% of the GDP in **1997** to 47% in **2010**
37
# the third way: recognition of the free market over state planning
Giddens arguments of neo-liberal economies over state managed ones
- they generated more icnome
- the more income generated would be used to fund public spending to help societys poorest
38
# the third way: recognition of the free market over state planning
Was the Third Way socialist?
- to some, no
- Giddens thought Croslands argument for economic state management and Webbs socialist state were both redundant
- social democracy had to embrace the global free market
39
# embracing the idea of the competitive state
Giddens competitive state and New Labours infrastructure commitment
- Giddens argued the state should *'promote investment in education and infrastructure'* to facilitate the competition state
- New Labour then increased public spending to build schools, hospitals, the elizabeth line, and the **2012** olympic games
- New Labour commissioned the building work using the free market (PFI)
40
# embracing community, moral responsibility and social inclusion
What did Giddens advocate for in terms of society? what did this couple?
- communitarianism
- coupled individualism and social responsibility
- Giddens believed government should help foster civic society (representing the needs of the local community)
41
# Embracing community, moral responsibility and social inclusion
tony blair vs social democrat welfare state ideals
- tony blair *'hand-up not hand-out'*
- social democrat: *'cradle to grave'*
42
# Embracing community, moral responsibility and social inclusion
Giddens and self-reliance vs mutual dependence
| How did he see the welfare state? how did he imagine it?
- Giddens saw no contradiction between self-reliance and mutual dependence
- he argued they should co-exist
- Giddens imagined a *'welfare society'* where the state would help the socially marginalised *'underclass'*
43
# Embracing community, moral responsibility and social inclusion
Crosland vs Webb interventionist state
- differed views
- Crosland preferred a mixed economy to Webbs fully nationalised one
This meant a smaller state, but still managed economy rather than an extensive welfare state
44
# Embracing community, moral responsibility and social inclusion
third way welfare state?
- they accepted a free market and preferred a less extensive welfare state than social democracy
45
# Embracing community, moral responsibility and social inclusion
Giddens and welfare (poverty)
Giddens offered education and training so people could escape poverty
- webb has been critical of aspects of the beveridge report
46
# Embracing community, moral responsibility and social inclusion
strand that Giddens was influenced by?
- modern liberalism in his version of equality of opportunity
47
# To What Extent do Socialists Agree about Human Nature?
broad view?
| agree
- most socialists have a positive view
- individuals have common humanity and enjoy cooperation
48
# To What Extent do Socialists Agree about Human Nature?
human nature and flexibility?
| agree
- socialist agree human nature can change, and is moulded for good or bad by social circumstances
49
# To What Extent do Socialists Agree about Human Nature?
socialists argue unreformed capitalism....effects?
| agree
- negative effect on human nature
- it indoctrinates selfish, individualistic and greedy behaviour
50
# To What Extent do Socialists Agree about Human Nature?
humans are rationally capable of what?
| agree
- creating new forms of society and the economy that can create *'socialism'*
51
# To What Extent do Socialists Agree about Human Nature?
individuals needs
| agree
socialists do not believe al individuals have identical abilities or needs
52
# To What Extent do Socialists Agree about Human Nature?
Webb and human nature
| disagree
- Webb is the least optimistic
- she argued the working class lacked the rational and intellectual capacity to manage their own workplace and required guidance by a superior and paternal middle class
53
# To What Extent do Socialists Agree about Human Nature?
the effect of capitalism: marx/engels argued capitalism...?
| disagree
- corrupted human nature to the point that only revolution could restore a positive state of human natuer
54
# To What Extent do Socialists Agree about Human Nature?
the effect of capitalism: Crosland argued capitalism wasn't..
| the effect of capitalism
- corrosive on human nature
- equality of opportunity and the reform of society would lead to cooperation
55
# To What Extent do Socialists Agree about Human Nature?
the effect of capitalism: Giddens focused on...?
- communitarianism
- viewed human nature from an individual sense rather than understanding human nature in terms of the collective
56
# To What Extent do Socialists Agree about the state?
an unreformed state does waht to society?
| agree
facilitates the exploitative nature of capitalism
- soicalists agree an exploitative state cannot be allowed to continue as it prevents economic, social, and political chang
57
# To What Extent do Socialists Agree about the state?
disagreements between revolutionary and evolutionary
| agreee
- **revolutionary**: the state is merely a committee for the ruling classes
- the bourgeoisie uses it to reinforce capitalism and it cannot be reformed
- **evolutionary**: the state can be remodelled. All would agree that the state can change its character to promote equality
58
# To What Extent do Socialists Agree about the state?
future of the state: Marx/Engels vs Luxembrg
| disagree
- **Marx/Engels**: after a communist revolution the srate will wither away and a stateless communist society would emerge
- **Luxemburg**: capitalist state should be replaced by a socialist one with democratic leections and free speech
59
# To What Extent do Socialists Agree about the state?
among evolutionaries: **Democratic socialists** - democracy?
| disagree
- the state could be reformed with democracy
- bringing the economy under common ownership and allowing equality of outcome
60
# To What Extent do Socialists Agree about the state?
among evolutionaries: **social democrats** - the economy and private enterprise?
| disagree
## Footnote
-
- the state should play a role in the economy (keynesian)
- crosland valued private enterprise and believed in a mixed economy and allowing equality of opportunity
61
# To What Extent do Socialists Agree about the state?
among evolutionaries: **The Third Way** - the state?
| disagree
- the state should invest in social investment and infrastructure
62
# to what extent do socialists agree about society?
broad agreement: what should society be based on? what does this ensure?
| agree
- equality
- this ensures economic fairness, reinforces collectivism as socialists see individuals as the products of the society they live in
63
# to what extent do socialists agree about society?
society must respond to what...? (£££)
| agree
- the negative effects of capitalism
- economic relations and the unequal distributuon of wealth has a harmful effect on human nature
-
64
# to what extent do socialists agree about society?
revolutionaries/evolutionaries?
| disagree
- disagree over whether the state can reform capitlaism and society
65
# to what extent do socialists agree about society?
revolutionary socialists argue capitalism is..?
- too exploitative to be reformed
- the state has used religion, patriotism and democracy to weaken class conciousness.
66
# to what extent do socialists agree about society?
**Democratic socialism**: what did Webb think about revolutions? society reforming?
| disagreee
- revolutions were chaotic and society could be reformed with parliamnetary government
- the state would develop a highly trained elite to organise a socialist socviety and a nationalist economy
67
# to what extent do socialists agree about society?
**social democracy**: Crosland thought Webbs argument limited what..
| disagree\
- individual freedom
- would be economiclly counterproductive
- capitalism should be reformed and focused on over collectivism so society can benefit from economic growth fairly
- equality of OPPORTUNITY
68
# to what extent do socialists agree about society?
**The Third Way**: what did Giddens concentrate on?
| disagree
- social investment in infrastructure and education
- free market capitalism could be good for society when reconciled with community and social justice
69
# to what extent do socialists agree about the economy?
where do they agree?
| agree
- critical of capitaliskm
- (varyingly) critical of the wasteful competition inherent in capitalism and emphasise hte need for cooperation
- committed to economy that creates a fairer society
- all envisage equality of opportunity
- evolutionaries all agree that capitalism can nbe reformed
70
# to what extent do socialists agree about the economy?
revolutionary socialists think capitalism is...
| disagree
beyond reform
71
# to what extent do socialists agree about the economy?
Marx/Engels: who can experience revolution?
| disagree
only mature economies
luxemburg argues less mature economies can also do so
72
# to what extent do socialists agree about the economy?
revolutionary vs evolutionary: the role of the state in the economy?
| disagree
- **revolutionary**: the state will wither away
- **evolutionary**: disagree on how active the state should be in manging the economy
73
# to what extent do socialists agree about the economy?
the third way outcome
| disagree
- far less equality of outcome than either social democracy or democratic socialism
