Social Democracy Flashcards
SD emerged due to
Adapting to changing political and economic landscape of post-war Europe
What did SD do
Retained core socialist principles such as equality, common humanity and workers’ control, Social Democracy sought to realise these goals within the framework of a capitalist system.
Advocated for reforming capitalism to make it more equal. Supported policies including progressive taxation and extensive welfare state provisions to protect workers’ rights and reduce economic disparities.
SD belief to why capitalism can be managed
Keynesianism is crucial to why SD believe capitalism can be managed rather than needing to be abolished.
SD collectivism
Don’t believe in complete collectivism but do believe in pursuing collectivism within capitalism
Capitalism shouldn’t be left alone, state should intervene to produce collectivism e.g. wealth redistribution and Keynesianism and support mixed economy
Nationalisation of key industries
Strong support of trade unions (like RS)
SD - common humanity
Share belief was RS but there approach to it differs
Focus on reforming and humanising the capitalist system
Negative aspects of capitalism can be mitigated through Keynesianism, a mixed economy, extensive social welfare programmes and redistribution of wealth.
SD - equality
Reject revolutionary socialists pursuit of absolute equality and the complete abolition of capitalism. Instead of envisioning a radical overhaul of the existing economic system, SD seek to promote EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY and SOME EQUALITY OF OUTCOME by reforming and humanising capitalism.
Some equality of outcome through progressive taxation. Harold Wilson labour gov top rate of income tax reached 83%.
SD - class
Recognise the existence of class as central to the structure of society, and they continue to champion the cause of the working class.
Don’t perceive class strictly in binary terms like RS but see it as a more complicated system.
Rather than seeking to completely abolish class distinctions, SD focus on creating a more equitable society within the capitalist framework.
Focus on creating a more equitable society within the capitalist framework.
SD - workers control
Didn’t advocate for complete control by workers over both the economy and the state as revolutionary socialists do, however they do advocate for workers’ control to an extent in both the state and wider economy.
Support the nationalisation/ common ownership of key industries.
AC argued that those balanced approach could achieve social justice and equality of opportunity without the need for a total overthrow of the capitalist system.
Didn’t advocate for workers’ control of factories and the remainder of the economy. Instead, they preserved a significant role for capitalism, believing that it could be controlled to pursue socialist principles.
SD - capitalism
Recognise the flaws of capitalism, particularly the fact that it creates inequality. They argue, left unchecked, capitalist systems can leader to significant disparities in wealth and power, undermining social cohesion and fairness.
However, unlike RS they believe that capitalism can be managed to achieve social justice and equality.
Key element of this approach is Keynesianism - gov intervention in the economy.
Supported some equality of outcome and redistribution through progressive taxation.
