human nature

Question 1

major agreements on HN in socialism

Answer 1

humans have the capacity for cooperation and capable of working for a common good

society and economy shapes human nature

optimistic view on the capacity for human improvement

Question 2

what did marx and engels believe on HN?

Answer 2

humans are inherently cooperative for the greater good, capitalism distorts this by promoting competition

HN is shaped by economic and social factors, by changing these you can make people more altruistic

socialism will unlock human potential that is constrained by the inherent competition of capitalism

revolution and class conflict is necessary in order to have change and work towards more altruistic HN

true altruism can only occur in a classless society without capitalistic self interest

individual agency is constrained by capitalism and believe human nature is shaped by societal development

Question 3

what did giddens believe about HN?

Answer 3

humans can cooperate for a consensus in a reformed capitalist society

selfishness and altruism arent mutually exclusive, in a well defined social system they can be used to gain one another to promote social responsibility

individual agency is important within the social framework, people can shape their own lives and society should help them do this

Question 4

what did crosland believe on HN?

Answer 4

humans naturally oppose inequality

social welfare and a mixed economy will aid human improvement

Question 5

what are webbs views on HN?

Answer 5

humans have a natural inclination towards cooperation, and socialists can harness this to improve society

gradual reform and altruism can improve the social factors that affect HN

Balance between altruism and self interest

individuals have significant capacity for self-improvement and social change so should shape their own futures