3B To what extent does the Third Way effectively abandon socialist principles?

Question 1

3B To what extent does the Third Way effectively abandon socialist principles? Agreement AO1

Answer 1

Agreement • The Third way embraces free markets in a way which is rejected by the other socialist strands such as Revolutionary Socialism and Social Democracy • The Third Way embraces a form of equality of opportunity or equality as inclusion (Giddens) which is rejected by other Socialists. • The Third Way reject class analysis of society in contrast to other socialist strands who accept class conflict as a factor which destabilises society. •

Question 2

To what extent does the Third Way effectively abandon socialist principles? Disagreement AO1

Answer 2

Third way socialists still support a positive role for the state which is also the position of Social Democrats. • Third way socialists still recognise the importance of community which is a socialist principle supported by both Revolutionary Socialists and Social Democrats. • Third way socialists remain committed to a fairer society and protecting the most vulnerable which is consistent with the principles of other socialists strands.

Question 3

To what extent does the Third Way effectively abandon socialist principles?
Agreement AO2 & 3

Answer 3

All other strands of socialism reject a free market believing that it brings injustice (Marx and Engels). At the core of this socialist view is that the free market reinforces inequality and injustice. Many socialists hold the view that a free market is corrosive and encourages greed. In essence it advances an unequal society. (AO2) We can conclude that the Third Way has therefore abandoned this socialist principle (AO3) • Third Way’s commitment to a different form of equality sets them apart from other Socialists strands like Social Democracy who advocate greater social and economic equality (Crosland) or Revolutionary Socialists who support absolute equality which can’t be achieved under capitalism. (Marx and Engels) (AO2) We can conclude that the Third Way has therefore abandoned this socialist principle (AO3) • Third Way’s rejection of class analysis shows an abandonment of socialist principles. Both Revolutionary Socialists and Social Democracy seek to tackle class differences to advance inequality and injustice. (AO2) We can conclude that the Third Way has therefore abandoned this socialist principle (AO3)

Question 4

To what extent does the Third Way effectively abandon socialist principles?
AO2 and 3

Answer 4

Both Third Way and Social Democracy support an evolutionary approach to achieving socialism (Webb) via the state, which shows a continuity of socialist principles between these two strands. Both strands also recognise that the state, to varying degrees, has positive benefits. (AO2) Therefore Third Way has not abandoned traditional socialist principles (AO3) • Third way socialists share with both other socialist strands a commitment to community (Luxemburg), recognising that humans are social beings and have an obligation to each other. (AO2) Therefore Third Way has not abandoned traditional socialist principles (AO3) • Third way socialist commitment to a fairer society is consistent with the approach of Social Democracy (Crosland). Neither wants to abolish capitalism to create a socialist economy or society. Both recognise that capitalism can be used to target support at the most vulnerable and that the state can guide and direct capitalism’s resources to work for the greater good. (Giddens) (AO2) Therefore Third Way has not abandoned traditional socialist principles (AO3)