C1 - Core Poltical Ideas: Socialism Flashcards
What is socialism?
- emerged in the in the 1800s - modernist era - hence the optimism in its theory
- an ideological opposition to the free market and capitalism
- seeks to provide a humane alternative, founded on collectivism, cooperation and equality
- ‘a man who has not been socialist before 25 has no heart. If he remains one after 25 then he has no brain’
What are the key beliefs of socialists?
- believe that it is more effective to work as a part of a community rather than individual effort
- a COLLECTIVIST view - stresses the capacity of human beings for collective action in order to achieve their objectives
1) morally, collectivism encourages social unity and responsibility
2) collective action is more efficient, in contrast to wasted efforts of individual competition - ‘no man is an island entire of itself’ (john dunne) - therefore, humans are comrades or brothers and sisters - principle of fraternity
What is collectivism?
- the ideas that collective human endeavour is of greater practical value than individual effort - needs to be this way to overcome inequality and exploitation
- human nature is social and the social groups that you are part of, are a part of your identity -> meaningful entities
Which ideas does socialism reject?
- free market
- private property
- capitalism
- individualism
What do socialists believe about human nature?
- they believe that human nature is social, plastic and collaborative - dependent on social factors like education, family, income, location
- nurture- all human characteristics are learnt from society
- class consciousness is a result of social conditions but it
- communitarianism - we are existentially defined by the groups to which we belong. Humans are neither self-sufficient, nor self-contained. Individuals are inseparable from society
- they have a positive view of human nature -> that human beings can be motivated by moral - to work hard to contribute to a common good and a sense of responsibility in society - rather than just material incentives
- material rewards are required to motivate people, but these can also be linked to moral incentives.
- believe in the moral, rational and psychological goodness of a human
What do socialists believe about competition and cooperation?
- as humans are social animals, the natural relationship amongst them is cooperation rather than competition
- competition fosters a limited range of social attributes and promotes selfishness and aggression. This leads to social divisions, resentment, conflict and hostility
- whereas cooperation fosters bonds of sympathy, caring and affection, as well as sociability and rationality
Is there a shared human nature?
- according to the post-modern view, it doesn’t make sense for there to be. Not all people can be classed as having either a moral incentive or a material one; it varies from person to person.
- there is no singular type of human nature
What does socialism argue regarding the role of the state?
- Marxists argue that the state can be used to control economic production and distribution of resources for everyone. They seek to overthrow the state.
- social democrats (moderate socialists) also support state intervention, but in the limited measure of welfare programs for those in need => labour view in present time. They seek to grow the state in its ability to intervene.
To what extent is the state or individual people responsible for the welfare of the vulnerable and the poor?
- at the very least, the state is responsible for being able to provide the basic needs for the vulnerable and poor so that they can then make their way back up from that and become less dependent. That is the point of voting.
- it is idealistic to assume that wealthy individuals will be philanthropic and give back to people in society but that assumes that they all have a moral incentive, which they don’t. => “castle’s not safe if the cottages aren’t happy” (Disraeli - one-nationism) - doesn’t have to be altruistic
- but the two are intertwined because if the state is more responsible then individuals are automatically more responsible as they will have to pay more in terms of tax. Or it could be that no additional tax is paid and rather the government uses the tax revenue in a more efficient way.
What are the variations within socialism on implementing collectivism?
Moderate socialists;
- accept some degree of free market capitalism
- 1945-51 labour govt (Attlee) nationalised key industries - coal and electricity - but left much privatised ==> SOCIAL DEMOCRACY `
- collectivism only works to a certain extent - either pragmatism OR a betrayal of true socialist values
Radical socialists (want to create a new utopian society)
- paris commune, 1871 - Marxist model of collectivism
- reject religion
Lil socialist, collective communities:
- Charles Fourier - ‘phalansteries’ in NJ and NY (early 19th century)
- Robert Owen - New Harmony, Indiana (1825-)
- Kibbutz system (cooperative, communally owned and run by members)
- suspended referendum Barcelona, 2017 - 90% in favour, 43% turnout
Evolutionary socialist (reforming existing society)
- trade unions and cooperatives can be integrated into society
- state ownership of industry in Soviet Union 1929 and china 1949 - run for the benefit of society, not for the profit of the individual
How has collectivism or global socialism fared since the 1980s?
- collectivist principles moved away from as they were seen as holding back economic progress and stifling individual instincts - creating a dependency culture -> UK, Soviet Union, China
- 1991 - fall of Soviet Union
- links to decline in common ownership and rise in private ownership - public/private ownership
What is endism?
- the end of ideologies
DANIEL BELL:
- post WW2 - belief that fascism and communism were both defeated
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