Core ideals of socialism Flashcards
What is a socialist view on human nature?
Upbeat
Optimistic
Naturally cooperative.
What does it mean to be naturally cooperative to a socialist?
Instead of seeking autonomy and supremacy, like a liberal would, socialists believe that humans naturally seek solidarity and fraternity.
How is human nature flexible under socialism?
Socialists are optimist about how human nature could be, and see their nature as not fixed at birth and more a product of their surroundings.
They believe human nature can be adapted to allow people to fulfil their fraternal potential.
How do socialist link society and human nature?
They believe that society influences human nature rather than society being comprised of individuals.
What is the socialist view on self-realisation?
Whether a person achieves it or not is due to the society they are born into, and an improved person will come as a result of an improved society.
What is a socialist view on the industrial revolution and its consequences?
They believe that hte major consequence was the emergence of classes which immediately determine a persons fate, and which are also unequal in power and influence.
What do socialist think of equality?
They believe that equality cannot be achieved merely through foundational equality, but that social justice is also needed.
What is social justice?
The idea of equality of outcome through things like a minimum wage, equality of healthcare services, equality of education and more.
What is a socialist view on paternalism?
Socialists believe that it is insufficient to simply be paternalistic towards the poorest people, and a narrowing of the gap between social classes will promote cooperation.
What is the social view on Private ownership?
It harbours competitiveness and greed, which are both incompatible with socialist beliefs.
What is socialist belief on free market capitalism?
Opposes it, as it generates huge variations in outcome, which is incompatible with social equality.
What is the socialist solution to private ownership?
Common ownership, which is synonymous with state and public ownership.
What is the goal of a socialist economy?
TO fix the issues presented by capitalism.
How does socialism go about fixing capitalism?
Creating a redistributionist economy
What two foundations underpin a redistributionist economy?
Rejection of laissez faire capitalism and promotion of collectivism.
How does rejection of Laissex Faire capitalism promote a redistributionist society?
A society with low taxation and little state interference is one where unfairness is allowed to become really exacerbated, so by adding in greater state interference there issues become allowed to be fixed.
What is collectivism?
The idea that there needs to be a focus on all of society rather than just a few elites.
What 4 ideals underpin economic collectivism?
- Progressive taxation
- Progressive public spending
- Extensive public service
- Extensive regulation of capitalism.
What is progressive taxation?
Where the state extracts wealth from its citizens on a sliding scale, so the rich contribute more than the poor. Narrows the gap.
What is progressive public spending?
The state uses its economic recourses in a way which enhances the less fortunate parts of society EG: state benefits to unemployed people.
What is extensive public service?
The state uses its yield from taxation to guarantee key public services such healthcare to take them away from private owners.
What is extensive regulation of capitalism?
When state regulations are designed to prevent the exploitation of the lower classes, includes minimum wage, equal pay legislation, health and safety directives and guaranteed maternity leave.
Apart from redistribution, what are the two other aims of economic collectivism?
More fraternal society
More efficient economy.
What is a socialist view on the state?
Without a strong state, it will be impossible to bring about a fairer and more equal society.
