Human Nature

Question 1

Introduction - Themes

Answer 1

• Fraternity
• Common Humanity
• Optimisim

Question 2

Introduction - Argument

Answer 2

There are some agreements about the general nature of mankind, yet they disagree how this can be best achieved within society

Question 3

Fraternity - Agree - Point

Answer 3

All socialists believe that individuals are naturally cooperative, generous and altruistic. As a result, human beings naturally seek solidarity, fraternity and comradeship

Question 4

Fraternity - Disagree - Point

Answer 4

• Revolutionary socialists take the stance that we should all regard our fellow humans as siblings rather than opponents and argue that this should translate into equality of outcome
• Revisionist socialists feel that humans are not as fraternal, thus equality of opportunity should be provided

Question 5

Fraternity - Disagree - Example
(Revolutionary)

Answer 5

Karl Marx and Rosa Luxemburg felt allowing inequality of outcome in one generation will lead to inequality of opportunity in the next and create divisions between those within society. They felt it was better to adopt equality of equal to bring out fraternalism

Question 6

Fraternity - Disagree - Example
(Revisionist)

Answer 6

Giddens felt there needs to be greater equality of opportunity, he argued that this would promote greater racial, gender and sexual equality, brining humans closer together

Question 7

Common Humanity - Agree - Point

Answer 7

There is agreement between all the branches that humans possess commom humaity whereby they are social creatures with a tendency to cooperate. Socialists, with their optimistic view of human nature, feel that human nature can be adjusted so that men and women contribute to a more cooperative community

Question 8

Common Humanity - Disagree - Point

Answer 8

• Revolutionary socialists believe in revolution to fulfill human nature
• Evolutionary socialists believe in using the state and human’s rationality to gradually achieve a socalist society

Question 9

Common Humanity - Disagree - Example
(Revolutionary)

Answer 9

Luxemburg felt that our current system was at odds with humanity’s natural communal instincts, and along with Marx insisted that in order to better promote common humanity there must be a revolution

Question 10

Common Humanity - Disagree - Example
(Evolutionary)

Answer 10

Beatrice Webb theorised the ‘inevitability of gradualism’ whereby the majority of voters would gradually and inevitably realise they had no interest in capitalism and would then elect a socialist government

Question 11

Optimism - Agree - Point

Answer 11

All socialists concede that mankind’s true nature has been diluted by time and circumstances. So, socialists take an optimistic stance when it comes to human nature - they all agree that it should focus on what human nature should become

Question 12

Optimism - Disagree - Point

Answer 12

• Revolutionary socialists believe capitalism is harming human nature
• Third Way socialists argue that human nature can prosper under capitalism

Question 13

Optimism - Disagree - Example
(Revolutionary)

Answer 13

Marx and Engels argue that human nature has been contaminate by capitalism. They argued this has instilled a ‘false consciousness’ far removed from mankind’s orginal nature - in order to reach the optimal nature, capitalism must be abandoned

Question 14

Optimism - Disagree - Example
(Third Way)

Answer 14

Giddens argued that human nature could still prosper under capitalism and still appreciate the importance of core socialist beliefs