7.2 Socialism tensions Flashcards
1
Q
3
Describe the emergence of the different strands of Socialism
A
- Revolutionary socialism - emerged in 19th century in response to mass industrialisation
- Social democracy - emerged after WW2, arguing for reform of capitalism rather than revolution
- Third Way - emerged in late 20th century in response to neo-liberalism of 1980s and globalised, less-industrialised workforce
Split into 2 schools - utopian socialism and Marxism
2
Q
2
Describe evolutionary socialism
A
- a gradual, reformist platform to achieve socialism via political and legal means
- includes democratic socialism, social democracy, third way
3
Q
4
Describe the main ideas of revolutionary socialism
A
- Postiive human nature of fraternity and cooperation distorted by capitalism
- Revolution of proletariat necessary to remove firmly entrenched institutions that were beyond reform
- Social class central to perception of society and human nature
- Marx theory of revolution based on historical materialism, dialectic, class consciousness
4
Q
4
Describe the main ideas of social democracy
A
- Revisionism of Webb’s democratic socialism
- Exploitativeness of capitalism mitigated by post-war economic boom with rising prosperity
- state intervention via mixed economy and keynesian economics (recognised role for free market)
- Social justice acheived via welfare state and progressive taxation
5
Q
7
Describe the main ideas of the Third Way
A
- ‘neo-revisionism’
- Recognition of free market over state planning
- embracing of competitive state
- social inclusion based on equality of opportunity - investment in infrastructure, etc
- meritocracy
- means-tested welfare
- ‘communitariansm’
6
Q
5
Describe unity on human nature among socialists
A
- Optimistic view of human nature - individuals possess common humanity and are naturally cooperative
- Human nature is malleable to social circumstances and can be corrupted by unchecked capitalism which breeds selfishness due to rationality
- Humans rationally capable of creating new forms of society and economy
- Individuals possess different strengths and weaknesses (not homogenous)
- foundational equality
7
Q
3
Describe revolutionary socialist ideas on human nature
A
- Marx and Engels argued that capitalism was so corrupting that it could only be recitified with revolution
- As humans are rational, class consciousness will emerge, starting the revolution
- Humans would eventually cooperate in stateless communist society - Luxemburg contested this
8
Q
2
Describe Webb’s ideas on human nature
A
- Least optimistic on human nature
- Humans lack intellectual capability for workers’ control
9
Q
2
Describe social democrat views on human nature
A
- Capitlaism not as corrosive on human nature
- Equality of opportunity and socio-economic reform would lead to greater cooperation and fraternity
10
Q
3
Describe third way views on human nature
A
- Agreed with social democrats that reformed capitalism was workable solution
- Giddens focussed on ‘communitarianism’ (viewed human nature as both individual and communal) rather than purely in a collective sense
- Preffered means-tested welfare to prevent disincentive to work as humans are rational
11
Q
3
Describe unity on society among socialists (in relation to social class)
A
- Humans naturally tend towards a fraternal society
- Humans need society to fulfill their potential (rejected atomism)
- Social class plays some role in determining individual’s progress and human nature
12
Q
4
Describe unity on society among socialists (in relation to equality)
A
- Equality in society to provide basic human rights and reinforce collectivism
- Unequal redistribution of wealth key in framing society
- All did not advocate absolute equality
- Society can be remodelled to better achieve social justice
13
Q
5
Describe revolutionary socialist views on society
A
- Expolitative institutions of capitalism too entrenched to be reformed - revolution needed
- Marx and Engels argue that non-neutral state used religion, patriotism and parliamentary democracy to weaken class consciousness
- Superstructure of society determined by economic base
- Class consciousness and dialectic
- Luxemburg largely agreed though rejected statelessness and historical materialism
14
Q
5
Describe Webb’s views on society
A
- Agreed with Marxian class analysis
- Class conflict and revolution not inevitable - revolutions were chaotic
- Society could be gradually reformed via parliamentary government
- State would develop highly trained elite to deliver socialist society and nationalised economy
- Equality of outcome and welfare through gradual incrimental tax changes
15
Q
6
Describe social democrat views on society
A
- Crosland felt Webb’s vision of society limited individual freedom and would be economically counterproductive
- Focused less on collectivism
- Benefits of economic growth in reformed capitalism should be more equally spread throughout society (e.g. via progressive taxation)
- Argued for equality of opportunity via comprehensive education
- Meitrocracy
- Inequality natural consequence of society
16
Q
8
Describe third way views on society
A
- Inequality was natural consequence of society
- Narrower focus on equality of opportunity than social democracy (e.g. accepted private education)
- Globalisation and de-industrialisation has reduced social divisions
- Concentrated on social investment in infrastructure and education + means-tested welfare
- Free-market capitalism could be beneficial for society when reconcilled with social justice
- Giddens advocated ‘communitarianism’
- Stakeholding in society - workers’ rights, civic society, individualism
- Individual action more beneficial than collective action
17
Q
3
Describe unity on the state among socialists
A
- Unreformed state facilitates exploitative nature of capitalism
- There is role for state in managing economy and inequality, at least in short term
- All evolutionary socialists agree that state should be remodelled to better promote social justice (though disagree on how)
18
Q
5
Describe revolutionary socialist views on the state
A
- State is merely a committee of the ruling class (bourgoisie), hence naturally exploitative
- State should promote collectivism and socialist principles
- Marx argued state would naturally wither away in communist society (end of history)
- Luxemburg saw place for socialist state with democratic elections and free speech
- Revolution inevitable due to ‘dialectic’ and class consciousness
19
Q
3
Describe Webb’s views on the state
A
- State could be reformed through parliamentary democracy to provide mandate (‘silently change its character’)
- Neutral state should manage economy through nationalism to allow equality of outcome and reduce class division
- State should organise highly trained elite of adminstrators and specialists to organise society and economy
20
Q
5
Describe social democrat views on the state
A
- Crosland proposed that neutral state managed economy through keynesian economics and mixed economy
- Crosland saw role for private enterprise
- State should promote equality of opportunity (similar to Third Way, against Webb)
- State should initiate comprehensive education
- Welfare state (free at point of use) for equality of welfare
21
Q
3
Describe Third Way views on the state
A
- Rejected centralised state model of Webb and Crosland as state supresses freedom by mnaipulating society and economy
- state should invest in infrastructure and education to achieve equality of opportunity
- state should prioritise means-tested welfare
22
Q
3
Describe unity on the economy among socialists
A
- Critical of negative effects of unchecked capitalism
- Critical of wasteful competition inherent in capitalism and emphasise need for cooperation (to some extent)
- Economy should best promote social justice
23
Q
5
Describe revolutionary socialist views on the economy
A
- Capitalism beyond reform and exploited working class - revolution needed
- Advocate centralised common ownership and workers’ control
- Marx notes historical materialism (though Luxemburg rejects this)
- Marx argues only mature economies can experience revolution, Luxemburg argue less mature economies also capable
- Marx believes economy will not be managed by state in communist society and people should take from economy according to their needs
24
Q
3
Describe Webb’s views on the economy
A
- Humans lack intellectual capability to manage economy - rejects workers control
- Highly trained elite should manage nationalised economy
- Gradual incrimental tax changes to achieve equality of outcome and welfare
25
Q
3
Describe social democrat views on the economy
A
- Reform to capitalism has ended ‘inherent contradictions’ and exploitative tendencies
- Support mixed economy based on keynesian economics
- Accept role of private enterprise (allows for innovation)
26
Q
5
Describe third way views on the economy
A
- Advocated greater deregulation to create wealth to tax for greater equality of opportunity (neo-liberal state)
- state has role in investing in education and infrastructure to drive future economic growth
- means-tested welfare rather than Crosland’s universal benefits
- free market better than mixed/centralised economy as there is some benefit to materialism
- focuses much less on equality of outcome
