Socialism

Question 1

What is Socialism?

Answer 1

A political and economic theory of society which advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned/ regulated by the community.

Question 2

What is Collectivism?

Answer 2

Refers to the notion that we can achieve valuable goals on a shared rather than individual basis

Question 3

What are the two fundamental arguments in favour for collectivism?

Answer 3

• Morally, The interests of the group should take priority over individual self interest. Collective effort encourages social unity and a sense of social responsibility
• Practically/Economically , it utilises the capabilities of the society and avoids wastefulness

Question 4

What do Socialists believe about human nature?

Answer 4

Humans are social creatures and our behaviour is moulded by societal forces (particularly the economic system) and capitalism cannot facilitate the best of human nature. we should replace an unethical, amoral and ‘dog eat dog’ system with a more socially equitable alternative.

Question 5

How does the belief about human nature relate to collectivism/common humanity ?

Answer 5

As man is a social animal, we seek to realise our goals on a collective basis and thereby co-operate with others to serve the common good.

Question 6

What is a fraternity and how are we bound to it?

Answer 6

fraternity refers to the sharing of common interests and beliefs; it implies that a group sharing those beliefs is as close as ‘if they were brothers’. Regardless of external factors
Socialists believe that it’s only through a shared sense of brotherhood that we can ever hope to improve humanity.

Question 7

What do Marxists believe about collectivism in practise?

Answer 7

Marxists advocated collectivism through a centralised state that control all means of production and distribution. This is based on the principle that ‘from each according to ability, to each according to need’

Question 8

Examples of Marxism and collectivism in practise

Answer 8

Communist regimes of China and the USSR

Question 9

What do moderate/revisionist socialists believe about collectivism in practise

Answer 9

Advocate some degree of free-market capitalism and pursue it in a limited way

Question 10

Examples of Moderate/Revisionist socialists and collectivism in practise

Answer 10

1945-51 UK Labour government nationalist key industries but left much of the economy to private hands

Question 11

What are some arguments against collectivism?

Answer 11

• As it emphasises group action and common interests, it suppresses individuality and diversity
• As it can only be advanced through the agency of the state, it can give way to the arbitrary of state power and erode individual freedoms

Question 12

What do socialists as a whole feel about equality?

Answer 12

the pursuit of social equality/equality of outcome is the fundamental value of socialism and underpins most areas of socialist thought

Question 13

What does social equality/equality of outcome refer to ?

Answer 13

The equal distribution of economic rewards such as income and wealth

Question 14

What does egalitarianism refer to?

Answer 14

A theory/practise designed to remove or reduce inequalities and ensure everyone has a fair chance in life

Question 15

What do revolutionary socialists believe about equality

Answer 15

They demand absolute equality, which can be guaranteed through the introduction of common ownership and the controlled distribution of goods and services

Question 16

What do social democrats believe about equality?

Answer 16

They want more limited state intervention via welfare, progressive taxation and government spending

Question 17

What does equality of outcome mean?

Answer 17

Maintains that rewards should be based on an individual’s contribution. Some inequality will persist but differences in rewards will not be as marked in the free-market system.

Question 18

What type of socialist opposees equality of outcome?

Answer 18

Third Way and Social democrats

Question 19

What does equality of opportunity mean?

Answer 19

Based on the principle that everyone should have an equal chance to make the best of their abilities. There should be a ‘level playing field’ with not artificial barriers to progress those with ability

Question 20

What type of socialist opposes equality of opportunity?

Answer 20

Marxists as it doesn’t seek to remove capitalism and its structural inequalities

Question 21

What is absolute equality?

Answer 21

Based on the notion that everyone will receive the same rewards, providing they make a contribution to society

Question 22

What type of socialist opposes absolute equality ?

Answer 22

Social democrats and Third Way as they deem it impractical and potentially destabilising

Question 23

What does Equality of Welfare mean?

Answer 23

Accepts that human society is inevitably unequal but also maintains that every individual os entitled to have an equal minimum standard of living

Question 24

What type of socialist opposes equality of welfare ?

Answer 24

Marxists

Question 25

Criticisms of social equality

Answer 25

• Unjust as it doesn’t reward people according to their abilities
• stifles diversity
• restricts the liberties of the individual

Question 26

Social Class

Answer 26

The existence of social classes explains the most important divides, rather than the result of the actions of other people or the essence of human nature

Question 27

What do Marxists believe about social class?

Answer 27

They emphasise the fundamental role of class politics based on the economic division between capital and labour. 
An individual's class position is economically determined by their relationship to the means of production

Question 28

What do Social democrats believe about social class?

Answer 28

They define social class in more fluid terms, emphasising income and status differences between non-manual and manual occupational groups

Question 29

Workers’ Control

Answer 29

Refers to the complete/partial ownership of an economic enterprise by those employed there

Question 30

What are some justifications for workers’ control?

Answer 30

• Promotes collective effort
• Important step towards a socialist society
• Workers are the most important part of the economy, and should thus have the right to control the means of production

Question 31

What are some criticisms of workers’ control

Answer 31

• Businesses don’t just rely on workers ( Stakeholders, shareholders)
• Workers may not have the entrepreneurial qualities