Component 1, Part 2- Socialism (Chapter 3) Flashcards
Core ideologies evaluation
What is the definition of Marxism?
1) An ideological system within socialism, that has at its core a philosophy that explains why it is inevitable that capitalism will be replaced by communism.
What is the definition of communism?
1) An economic and political system advocated by Marx in which private ownership of the means of production is abolished in favour of common ownership.
2) A classless society is established, production is based on human need, and the state withers away.
What is the definition of capitalism?
1) Wealth is privately owned and goods and services are produced for profit, as determined by market forces.
2) The capitalist system has developed over the last 500 years to become the economic driving force of the modern global economy
What are the most common forms of socialist collectivism?
1) Housing- subsidised homes provided by local government.
2) Education- The state runs the school system, which is free and available to everyone.
3) Industry- Key industries under state control operate in the national interest.
4) Health Care- National health service, funded from general taxation, provides free care based on need.
5) Industrial regions- workers organised into trade unions bargaining rights over terms and conditions.
What is the socialist view on common humanity?
1) Positive view of human nature.
2) Cooperation, sociability, rationality.
3) Competition, in the capitalist sense damages society, causes divisions and leads to conflict.
4) People who cooperate rather than compete form connections based on understanding, respect and mutual support.
5) Moral incentive to work for the common good.
6) Cooperation boots economic growth and this benefits everybody.
7) State intervention ensures that resources are shared, with welfare and redistribution targeting those in need the most.
In what way does social equality ensure fairness?
Why does it reject equality of opportunity?
1) Some socialists feel that everybody is born with the potential to be equal. They reject equality of opportunity because it treats people differently based on their abilities. Other socialists feel that because people are born with different abilities, there will inevitably be some inequality in relation to rewards.
In what way does social equality reinforce collectivism?
1) If we all work for the common good, it will lead to a fairer and more equal society eg Sweeden. Countries with high levels of inequality encourage conflict and instability.
In what way is social equality means of satisfying basic human needs?
1) Since all basic human needs are the same, there should be an equal distribution of wealth and resources. This will promote human fulfilment and realise human potential.
In what ways do socialists disagree over equality of outcome?
1) Equality of outcome maintains that rewards should be based on an individuals contribution. Tends to be supported by fundamentalists (who reject capitalism) but opposed by social democrats and the Third Way..
What is equality of opportunity?
In what ways do socialists disagree over equality of opportunity?
1) Equality of opportunity is based on the principle that everyone should have an equal chance to make the best of their abilities. There should be a ‘level playing field’ with no artificial barriers to progress for those with ability, talent and hard work.
2) This approach is supported by social democrats and the Third Way on meritocratic grounds, but rejected by Marxists because it does not seek to remove capitalism.
What is absolute equality?
In what ways to socialists disagree over absolute equality?
1) Absolute equality is based on the notion that everyone will receive the same awards, providing they contribute to society.
2) This approach is supported by Marxists as the basis of communism, but rejected by social democrats and the Third Way as impractical and potentially destabilising.
What is equality of welfare?
In what ways do socialists disagree over Equality of welfare?
1) Equality of welfare accepts that human society is inevitably unequal but also maintains that every individual is entitled to have an equal minimum standard of living guaranteed by state welfare provision.
2) Endorsed by social democrats and the Third Way since it provides a vital safety net for the most vulnerable in society. Marxists reject it since it doesn’t seek to remove capitalism.
What is the socialist view on Common ownership?
1) Wealth should be owned collectively since we all work together to create it.
2) Private property causes materialism, jealousy and the false belief money makes you happy.
3) Private property generates social conflict between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’.
4) Socialists argue about to what extent common ownership should be applied. Moderate socialists such as the Labour government under Clement Attlee nationalised ket strategic industries but most of the rest of the economy in private hands.
5) Modern socialist parties make less of a commitment to public or common ownership.
What are the differences between Marxists and Social democrats on social class?
- Marxists:
1) Divide society into the ‘have’s’- the Bourgeoisie and the ‘have nots’ the proletariat.
2) Capitalism oppresses the proletariat because they have to sell their labour for minimal gains.
3) The Bourgeoisie exploit this by using the proletariat to profit themselves.
4) Worker’s revolution is needed to overthrow the bourgeoisie, destroy capital, impose common ownership and eventually eliminate class difference. - Social Democrats
1) Focus more on the differences between manual and non-manual occupations.
2) Class differences are more fluid.
3) Targeted state intervention such as progressive taxation will help to narrow class differences.
4) Less focus on class these days because of class dealignment.
What is the socialist belief on workers’ control?
1) Full democratic control over places of employment.
2) Marxism and syndicalism teach that human nature promotes collective effort and pursuit of group, rather than individual interests.
3) If workers have control over the means of production and the decision making, they will work together in the common interest as everybody will benefit.
4) Socialists see workers’ control as a step towards a utopian socialist society.
5) Critics reject all of this claiming that workers’ have neither the entrepreneurial skills or the knowledge of managers to simply take over and make a success of this new society.
