core political ideas

Question 1

what is collectivism in terms of socialism?

Answer 1

.Underpins socialism. People will achieve more when they work together, rather than in the self interest.
.Equality, welfare and common ownership.
.It is right on a moral basis, but also a practical basis.
.Human nature suggests we are social animals, preferring to live in groups.
.Bonds of fraternity.
.Membership of a community or society allows us true freedom and fulfilment.

Question 2

what is common humanity in terms of socialism?

Answer 2

.Positive view of human nature.
.Co-operation, sociability, rationality.
.Competition, in the capitalist sense, damages society, causes divisions and leads to conflict.
.People who cooperate rather than compete form connections based on understanding, respect and mutual support.
.Moral incentive to work for the common good.
.Cooperation boosts economic growth and this benefits everybody.
.State intervention (with varying degrees of control according to different types of socialists) ensures that resources are shared, with welfare and redistribution targeting those in the need the most.

Question 3

how do Marxists want to achieve equality?

Answer 3

.Seeks absolute equality with abolition of private property.
.Controlled distribution of resources.
.Common ownership.

Question 4

how do social democrats want to achieve equality?

Answer 4

.More limited state intervention.
.Seek to reform rather than abolish capitalism.
.Seeks to adjust distribution to narrow differences in wealth and life choices.

Question 5

what is common ownership in terms of socialism?

Answer 5

wealth should be owned collectively as we all work together to create it.

Question 6

Marxists view on social class

Answer 6

.Divide society into the ‘have’s - the Bourgeoisie and the ‘have-nots’ - the proletariat.
.Capitalism oppresses the proletariat because they have to sell their labour for minimal gains.
.The Bourgeoisie exploit this by using the proletariat to profit themselves.
.Worker’s revolution is needed to overthrow the bourgeoisie, destroy capital, impose common ownership and eventually eliminate class difference.

Question 7

what is the social democrats view on social class?

Answer 7

.Focus more on the differences between manual and non-manual occupations.
.Class differences are more fluid.
.Targeted state intervention such as progressive taxation will help to narrow class differences.
.Less focus on class these days because of classignment.

Question 8

what is workers control in terms of socialism?

Answer 8

full democratic control over places of employment

Question 9

what is revolutionary socialism?

Answer 9

.Originated in the 19th C and the industrial revolution.
.Was an attempt to radicalise the working class who were being exploited by capitalism.
.Rejected democracy as the system was dominated by elites and workers had little say.
.Genuine radical revolution was needed to overthrow the old state and completely re-shape and reform a new socialist society.

Question 10

what is social democracy?

Answer 10

.emerged after the war
.Embraces democracy and seeks to reform rather than abolish capitalism.
.View on capitalism - creation of wealth in itself is not wrong, just the way it is distributed.
.Peaceful, constitutional methods.
.Social justice and sometimes Christian principles are at its core.

Question 11

what are the 3 key elements of social democracy?

Answer 11

1. Support for a mixed economy. Combination of state and privately owned enterprises. Key strategic industries to be nationalised. E.g. Attlee government 1945-51.
2. Keynesian economics. You spend or invest money at times of recession to boost or stimulate the economy. You also use taxation and interest rates to manage demand within the economy. This will sustain growth and deter recession.
3. Use the welfare state to redistribute wealth, tackle social inequality and the problem of poverty by reforming capitalism.

Question 12

what where the problems socialism faced in the 1970s and 80s?

Answer 12

.Downturn in the world economy - Oil Crisis 1973.
.Higher unemployment, falling wages and higher inflation.
.Lower tax revenue (due to fewer people working).
.Dilemma for social democrats:
.Other problems included the shrinking of the traditional industrial working class (traditional socialist/social democratic base) and the shift to a more service based economy.
.Rise of a new aspirational working class.
.Knock-on effect of the collapse of the Soviet Union also damaged the Left generally.

Question 13

what is ‘The Third way’

Answer 13

.A new approach.
.Seen as an alternative to traditional social democracy and neo-liberal free market economics.
.Best associated in Britain with the New Labour project from 1997-2010.
.5 key features:
1. Primacy of the market over the state.
2. Value of community and moral responsibility.
3. Social model based on consensus and harmony.
4. Social inclusion.
5. Competition or market state.

Question 14

what is conservatism?

Answer 14

Conservatism seeks to conserve society as it is and is suspicious of change.

Question 15

what is Pragmatism in terms of conservatism?

Answer 15

.Edmund Burke (1729-97), Michael Oakeshott (1901-90).
.Rejection of ideology, favours practical experience.
.’If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’.
.Humans lack the intellectual capacity to understand complex theories, so leaders need to emphasise caution, moderation and continuity.
.Traditional and One Nation Conservatives emphasise evolution of society over time, rather than radical change - chaos.
.Law and order, property, tradition and established institutions.
.Change is sometimes needed, but only to conserve.

Question 16

what is the organic state in terms of conservatism?

Answer 16

.Society is like a living organism.
.All its parts must work together in order to ensure its ‘health’.
.Stability is maintained when the balance between different elements of a society are maintained.
.The careful balance of interacting elements within a society can maintain things like affection, security and concern.
.These are more important than political theory or ideology.
.Greater responsibilities for those in authority.
.Hierarchy and authority are key.

Question 17

what is Paternalism in terms of conservatism?

Answer 17

those in power have a duty to care for people without power

Question 18

what are the core principles of traditional conservatism?

Answer 18

.Organic society.
.Negative view of human nature.
.Change should be pragmatic and gradual.
.A strong defence of the country.
.Law and order.
.Protection of property.
.Preserve and respect institutions of power: monarchy, church, Parliament, Judiciary etc.
.Love of tradition.
.Hierarchical.
.’Noblesse oblige’ - the duty of care by the elites to the masses.

Question 19

what are the core principles of One nation conservatism?

Answer 19

.Benjamin Disraeli, the 19th C. British Prime Minister sought to redefine conservatism in order for it to appeal to the masses and preserve the institutions of power and the state.
.Not only did the elites have ‘noblesse oblige’, they should also embrace social reform in order to strengthen national unity - ‘welfarism’ . He based his philosophy on 3 guiding principles:
1. Maintenance of traditional institutions.
2. Imperialism - would engender national pride.
3. Reforms to improve conditions for the working class.
.These ideas outlived Disraeli and were, in the post-war period, along with Keynesian economics, the dominant force in the Conservative Party until the 1970’s.

Question 20

what are the core principles of the new right

Answer 20

.Contains two strands: Neoliberalism and neoconservatism.

Neo-liberals are committed to a free market, a minimal state and
individual freedom and responsibility.

Neo-conservatives emphasise traditional values, order and morality.