Focused ideology essays Flashcards
To what extent is socialism is defined by its commitment to collectivism?
- Collectivism is the idea that people prefer to achieve political , social and economic collectively rather than independently and more effectivley
FOR
Humans are social creatures according to socialists with a natural tendnacy to work together to achieve there golas
To what extent is there is more that unites socialists than divides them?
Para 1 - agree that there needs to be greater equality within society. fundamentalist revolutionary socialists such as Marx and eagles support ideas on absolute equality which is the idea that everyone who contributes to society will receive the same rewards and ideas on equality of outcome which is supported by Luxemburg which is the idea that peoples experiences of society should be more or less the same. this is rejected social democrats and the third way as they would argue that this is impractical they would support ideas on euality of opportunity based on meritocracy ie Crosland nad Giddens
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Para 2 - beliefs in collectivism- all socialists overall believe that collective action is more effective for achieving socialism. WEBB support this idea through her ideas on gradualism which would bring in a new socialist age
para 4- revolution vs evolution - there is an agreement between socialists on ideas of revolution which means that the state must be overthrown in order to achieve true socialism and equality in society. This is supported by Marx who argues … and Luxemburg who states that revolution is necessary to effect true change links to ideas on class consciousness. this differs slightly from evolutionary socialists such as webb who agrees that te overthrowal of the state is necessary to achieve socialism but by using the theory of gradualism and democratic socialism where the state is reformed. This is completely rejected by revisionist such as Crosland who argue that the state intervention is needed to achieve capitalism suggesting that there is much that divides the ideological strands
To what extent is socialism divided by its approach to
capitalism?
Para 1- Fundamentalists socialists are united on there approach to capitalism. There is an overall agreement that capitalism is bad and needs to be abolished. Revolutionary socialists such as Marx and Engels heavily support this idea and are united on the fact that capitalism needs to be overthrown through a revolution and the prolariat will gain a class consciousness that enbales them to see there oppression. Similarly Luxemburg also agrees on this approach that capitalism needs to be abolished through revolution. To contrast there are differences on the socialist approach to capitalism which can be illustrated when looking at the evolutionary path. This type of socialism supports the abolishment of capitalism but through evolutionary means. For example Beatrice Webb suggests that capitalism can be abolished through evolutionary means through gradualness. This is the idea that the parliamentry strategy would be the best way to get rid of capitalism and the expansion of the state this Cleary differs from the revolutionary perspective and shows how divided socialism is regarding there approach to capitalism
Para 2 - Fundamentalist revisionists are united on there approach to capitalism on the idea that capitalism should be managed to achieve socialism. Crosland argues that capitalism is needed in order to achieve greater social equality and also supports stage manged capitalism as this would achieve socialism and view capitalism as positive thing that can be reformed. This differs from revolutionary socialists as they would argue that manged capitalism is not possible. Luxemburg would reject croslands approach to capitalism this leads to the argument that socialism is divided on its approch to capitalism
Para 3 - Similarly Giddens is a revisionist who agrees with Crosland on the idea that capitalism can be manged. Giddens supports a social democracy and the third way. Giddens suggests that capitalism can be reformed into infrastructure and education which will produce equality of opportunity. Giddens highlights the positive elements of capitalism whilst other forms of socialism such as evolutionary socialists understand that capitalism is bad for example although Beatrice webb supports gradual growth of state power she understands that
Para 4
To what extent is conservatism a philosophy of human imperfection?
Intro- conservatism has traditionally been portrayed as a philosophy of human imperfection .Conservatives have viewed human beings as morally imperfect, driven by non-rational drives and instincts. There are forms of conseravism such as the new right which disagree arguing that humans are capable of rationality .
Point 1. Traditional and one nation conservatives are in agreement and illustrate that conservativism is a philosophy of imperfection , this is because both forms see humans as imperfect and flawed. Traditional conservatives such as Burke focus on human nature being intellectually imperfect while one nation conservatives like Hobbs look at human natures moral imperfections.This suggests that there is a general agreement that human nature is imperfect. However one nation conservativims takes a much mi
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To what extent do Conservatives have a common view of human nature?
Intro- The different conservative views on human traditional nature for example traditional conservatives take a pessimistic view of human nature viewing it s flawed and imperfect whilst new right conservatives believe that human nature can be rational
P1- overall agreement that human nature if flawed and imperfect. Trad and ON support this. Hobbs argues that it is part of human nature to be imperfect. Hobbs highlights how humans are needy , vulnerable and easily lead astray this is why there is such an emphasis on social order rather than liberty. Oakeshott share a similar view arguing that human nature is severely flawed imperfect and unpredictable However, Oakeshott takes a more optimistic view of human nature, Oakeshott argues that human nature is fallible not terrible suggesting that human nature is not as negative as some (hobbs ) would argue , He states that there is still a need for authority and the acceptance of hierarchy to maintain social order. He looks at human imperfection from an intellectual standpoint whereby humans are not able to fully understand the complexities of the world
P2- RATIONALITY- NR right confirm that conservatives have differing views over the nature of humans, this is because the new right argue that humans are capable of rationality. Rand argues the idea of objectivism this advocates the idea of rational self-interests. This means that that there is a need for the ruling class or authorities to make decisions for us, similar to the views of Nozick who advocates for libertarianism. This means that he believes that individuals have rights to their lives and liberty because they are rational beings. however, this differs from one nation and traditional conservative ideas. Traditional conservatives such as Burke support ideas of pragmatism, this is the idea that what works shoudl be continuted.
P3- - Traditional conservatives such as Hobbs describe human nature as selfish, brutish , nasty , and short. He views human nature as truly criminal which is why there is such social disorder in society however one nation conservatives take a softer approach arguing that crime is a result of social need this suggest that it should be the responsibility of the ruling class to look after the w,c thus suggesting there is a need for pragmatism ,tradition and stability in society rather than strict authority
P4- There are some agreements with the new right for example oakshot argues that humans are morally imperfect, Therefore there is a need for traditional moral values which should reinforce social cohesion , humans needs morality brought in by the state to keep social stability and .. new right argue that there should be smaller state then traditional conservatives
To what extent are Conservatives pragmatic rather than ideological
Intro- pragmatism is ..,
Point 1. Traditional conservatives would favour pragmatism because they believe humans are intellectually limited. The political world is impossible to understand, so Instead, humans should operate with respect to existing practical circumstances and traditions, adapting a cautious approach to the world. This differs from new right conservatives that is more ideological
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