3 Socialist thinkers and their ideas

Question 1

Karl Marx (1818–83) and Friedrich Engels (1820–95)
( REVOLUTIONARY SOCIALIST )

Answer 1

• The centrality of social class – the ideas of historical
  materialism, dialectic change and revolutionary class
  consciousness
• Humans as social beings – how nature is socially determine and how true common humanity can be expressed only under communism.

Question 2

Beatrice Webb (1858–1943)
( SOCIAL DEMOCRACY )

Answer 2

• ‘The inevitability of gradualness’ – the gradualist parliamentary strategy for achieving evolutionary socialism.
• The expansion of the state – that this, and not the overthrow of the state, is critical in delivering socialism.

Question 3

Rosa Luxemburg (1871–1919)
( REVOLUTIONARY SOCIALISM )

Answer 3

• Evolutionary socialism and revisionism – this is not possible as capitalism is based on an economic relationship of exploitation.
• Struggle by the proletariat for reform and democracy – this
  creates the class consciousness necessary for the overthrow of
  the capitalist society and state.

Question 4

Anthony Crosland (1918–77)
( SOCIAL DEMOCRACY )

Answer 4

• The inherent contradictions in capitalism – does not drive
  social change and managed capitalism can deliver social
  justice and equality.
• State-managed capitalism – includes the mixed economy, full
  employment and universal social benefits.

Question 5

Anthony Giddens (1938– )
( THIRD WAY )

Answer 5

• The rejection of state intervention – acceptance of the free
  market in the economy, emphasis on equality of opportunity
  over equality, responsibility and community over class conflict.
• The role of the state – is social investment in infrastructure
  and education not economic and social engineering.