POLI 245 CH:6 Flashcards
How did Engels socialism shift from Marxs?
Engels shifted Marxs socialism into scientific socialism with the help of dialectics showing the laws that govern nature and society are the same.
How was Bernstein influenced by Fabian socialism?
Bernstein was influenced by Fabian socialism in a pragmatic and moral way, with an emphasis for an evolutionary path to socialism.
Explain what Bernstein meant by his revisions of Marx on the matter of political and economic gains of the proletariat?
Bernstein meant to revise Marx because after Marx’s death, the proletariat made political gains by achieving greater trade unionism and setting up income tax. Economic gains were made because trade union demands were being met. Marx did not believe that worker conditions would be improved in this way so Bernstein and others wanted to revise.
Why did Bernstein and other revisionists believe Marx was under concerned with ethics? (2 points)
- The ideological superstructure is dependent on the economic base.
- They emphasized the end of history at the expense of the means by which the end is achieved.
What is false consciousness and what was the revisionist criticism of it?
False consciousness is what some workers suffer from where they are ignorant to fact that they are being oppressed, they do not believe they deserve better than what they have. Revisionists believe that workers shouldn’t be won’t to accept the better conditions that they are offered now in favour of even better conditions under complete socialism.
What is market socialism?
Market socialism blends elements of market economy with social ownership and public control of the means of production. Major resources (factories, etc..) are owned and operated for the public good, small businesses (houses, cars, etc…) are free to operate privately, while middle firms are owned by those who work for them. All operate competitively for profit.
How did Lenin argue against trade unionism?
Lenin argued against it by citing false consciousness and stating that workers accept a welfare state and therefore accept capitalism.
Why did Lenin believe Russia was a good location for Marxist social revolution?
Because Russia was a place where capitalism had exploited the peasantry while other Eastern nations benefitted from Imperialism.
Why did Lenin believe a vanguard was needed for the revolution?
He believed a vanguard with socialist intellectuals at the helm was necessary in order to steer the revolution made up of the working class. Without a vanguard he feared the revolution would become reactionary.
How did Lenin see his political position as democratic?
He saw it as a type of democracy called democratic centralism, free discussion is permitted but after the vote is decided all discussion must stop immediately. He believed democracy was not yet possible. because the workers do not know what is best for them.
Why are arch-communists in the chapter?
Because they believe in abolishing the state and thus private property.
Why do Christian-socialists argue for the equality of socialism?
The old testament states that if you cast your bread upon the water (redistribute the wealth), you be richly rewarded (everyone prospers).
Why does the textbook claim Stalin didn’t contribute to socialism?
Because he used his position to become a ruthless dictator who deceived his country through propaganda and used Marxism as an excuse to do so.
How was Mao influenced by Lenin and how did he contribute to socialism?
Mao understood Marx through Lenins view, specifically Lenins idea of a vanguard. He contributed to socialism by downplaying the proletariat and molding the peasantry into a revolutionary force, he downplayed the importance of objective conditions and prioritized subjective factors like promoting consciousness and will while dampening the importance of the size of industry.
How does socialism function in the definition of ideology?
Explanation: If there is economic downturn, it is the fault of over production or the ideological superstructure that controls the economy.
Evaluate: The justice of society is understood through class differences, equality of outcome vs opportunity.
Orientative: People becoming more aware of their position within a social class.
Programatic: How to move toward a classless society or as close as possible.
