Revisionist Socialism

Question 1

Classical revisionism

Answer 1

 German socialist, Bernstein noted that conditions of working class was steadily improving
under capitalism and little evidence that history as unfolding as Marx prescribed.
 Argued that if overseen by socialist governments, capitalist economies could provide a
greater improvement to workers’ conditions, with capitalism’s worst features contained.
 Widening of franchise = advent of working class among voters = socialist government more
likely = government can insist for better conditions.
 Evidently shared the Fabian’s Society’s belief in gradual parliamentary road to socialism but
differed to them as did not hold contempt for capitalism and believed struggle for socialism could co-exist with an economy based on private property.

Question 2

Social democracy

Answer 2

 By mid-20th century regarded as the most important and relevant form of revisionist
socialism, far removed from Marx and Lenin.
 Crossland argued that the reformed capitalism prescribed by Keynes had guaranteed full
employment and steady economic growth – capitalism was no longer vulnerable to peaks and troughs and could be relied upon to finance a richer, fairer and classless society with welfare and public spending.
 Socialism not just about common ownership. There were other methods whereby greater equality could be secured e.g. ending unequal forms of secondary education with 11-plus exams.
 Still serious differences between British social democrats like Crossland and continental social democrats. Crossland was against a Europe-wide economic policy whereas others supported the prospect of a federal Europe.

Question 3

Third way P1

Answer 3

 Most recent form of revisionist socialism – neo-revisionism/Third Way.
 UK governments of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.
 Giddens desire to ‘triangulate’ social democracy’s wish for more equality with a capitalist
economy that was now less Keynesian and more neo-liberal.
 Also aimed to reconcile task of socialist parties seeking office with an electorate that was
increasingly propertied, suburban and individualistic.
 Giddens urged modern leftists to go with the flow, encouraging further privatisation and
deregulation – modern way of boosting economic growth and therefore gov. spending in the name of equality.

Question 4

Third way P2

Answer 4

 Greater equality of opportunity required more, not less, inequality of outcome – unequal outcomes went hand in hand with increasing rates of economic growth.
 This case for the Third Way was duly accepted by Blair and Brown – persuaded Labour Party to renounce Clause IV.
 “intensely relaxed about people getting filthy stinking rich… just as long as they pay their taxes”

Question 5

Third way P3

Answer 5

 To critics such as Tony Benn this represented little more than paternalistic conservatism.
 However under New Labour, tax burden rose far more than avg. Conservative government –
this allowed the financing of a rise in public spending from 39% of GDP in 1997 to 47% in
2010.
 Third Way also placed much more emphasis upon cultural and political equality, reflecting
the more diverse society.
 Governments, e.g. Blair passed various measures promoting greater racial, gender and
sexual equality e.g. legislation of civil partnerships for gay couples.
 Also measures designed to redistribute political influence e.g. devolution and HRA.