Revolutionary Socialism Flashcards
Emergence of socialism, the six principles and communism
When did Socialism emerge and why?
Socialism emerged in the 19th Century as a response to the industrial revolution.
What did the industrial revolution cause?
It introduced capitalism, which created class divisions and economic inequalities. Workers faced horrible working conditions and low, unlivable wages.
Why did Marx and Engels criticise capitalism?
They criticised the fact that it exploited the working class.
What did Marx and Engels propose to do to the system?
They proposed to overthrow the capitalist system in favour of a different system that pursued equality through the redistribution of wealth and workers controlling the means of production.
What did Marx and Engels promote?
Revolution
What did Marx and Engels write?
The communist manifesto
How did Marx and Engels view society?
They had a historical materialist view of society, proposing that history inevitably transitions through a number of stages of economic development. According to this, society inevitably progressed from feudalism to capitalism, and would ultimately transition from capitalism to communism through a proletarian revolution.
What did Marx and Engels argue that capitalism is?
Oppression of the proletariat by the bourgeoisie, which created deep inequalities and suppressed the inherently collaborative and social nature of humans (collectivism and communism)
What are Marx and Engels’ view of Human nature?
Humans are very social. Common humanity. They have a positive view of it.
What did Marx and Engels believe would happen after the revolution?
After a brief period of ‘dictatorship of the proletariat’, the state would ‘wither away’ and the final stage of society would be reached. This would be a classless, stateless society where the means of production are communally owned and all forms of exploitation and inequality are eliminated.
What are the six principles of socialism?
Collectivism, Common Humanity, Equality, Social Class, Workers’ Control, Opposition to Capitalism
What is Collectivism?
The collective action of individuals is of greater and practical value to society than individual effort.
What is Common Humanity?
Emphasis that humans are social creatures with positive tendencies towards cooperation, sociability and rationality, whilst individuals and their human nature cannot be understood without reference to the society that surrounds and shapes them.
What is Equality?
Economic inequality is fundamentally unfair and this undermines collectivism and cooperation. Therefore, the state, if applicable, should always promote equality.
What is Social Class?
The central to socialist’s understanding of society. Underpins their analysis of social dynamics and historical change. They believe class exploitation is inherent to capitalism and should be abolished.
What is Workers’ Control?
Advocates for both worker control over the management of the workplace and worker control over broader economic decision-making and the state.
What is the Opposition to Capitalism?
Capitalism is a fundamentally flawed system. It is inherently exploitative, a system where the profit motive and private ownership of the means of production lead to a stark social class divisions and deep-seated inequalities.
What did Rosa Luxemburg argue?
She critiqued what she saw as the authoritarian tendencies of the Bolsheviks in Russia, advocating for a more democratic and grassroots approach.
What was the first revolution that took place as a result of Marx and Engels’ thoughts?
The Bolshevik Revolution, led by Lenin and the Bolshevik party.
Post revolution, what socialist policies did soviet Russia implement? What was the purpose? What ended up happening?
Collectivisation of Agriculture, Central planning of the economy, Stalin’s 5 year plan (which was a full scale industrialisation and collectivisation of agriculture), and the state essentially controlled all aspects of political and economic life. This was supposed to bring equality and to get rid of the social classes however, the state grew increasingly authoritarian.
