Socialism Flashcards
What is Utopian Socialism
Linked to Robert Owen.
Refers to the earliest form of socialism. A vision of the perfect human existence.
For Marx the ‘utopian’ character stemmed from the absence of any clear method for bringing about socialism
What is Fraternity and Cooperation
Fraternity is socialism’s belief that human beings should be generous, ‘warm’ to each other and a sense of comradeship.
all of us are ‘siblings’ rather than rivals,
Cooperation and solidarity rather than competition and division, this should be the norm.
What is Democratic centralism
Developed by Lenin - there would be only one party and only within that party would there be open discussion.
Once the party had reached their decision, Lenin argued that the decision would embody the will of the people therefore further debate was futile and disrespectful of the revolution.
This doctrine was later used to justify severe repression in orthodox communist countries such as Russia and China.
What is social class
This defines an individuals circumstances, prospects and attitudes.
Middle class / Working class
Bourgeoisie / Proletariat
White Collar / Blue Collar
All denote a certain type of employment, status and division of wealth in society.
What is Social Justice
For socialists Legal and formal justice is not enough to guarantee equality of opportunity. These must be accompanied by social justice
Health care and education accessible to all
Minimum wage
What is Common Ownership.
This is a alternative to private property and a capitalist economy.
A method of ownership seen as conductive to equality and fraternity.
What is capitalism
An economic system based on private: Property, private enterprise and competition between individuals
Often produces unequal outcomes is of concern to most socialists
Also known as ‘economic liberalism’
What is fundamental Socialism
The earliest form of socialism, which holds that socialist values are fundamentally incompatible with capitalism.
Originally asserted by Marx and Engels (‘classical Marxism’) now associated with orthodox communism, New-Marxism, Euro-Communism and democratic socialism (like Bernie Sanders and AOC)
What is Marxism and communism
The final part of human development, Communism represents the perfect society (for socialists)
Based on common ownership, communal living and the principle of ‘each according to his needs’
Marxism’s reflects this prediction also involves a ‘episodic’ view of history, a rigorous critique of capitalism and justification for revolutionary politics
What is Dialectic
Associated with the philosopher Hegel, refers to the clash of ideas and perceptions of each ‘stage’ of history which eventually leads to the disappearance of society
What are the stages of society.
Historical materialism and dialectical change (according to Marx and Engels)
1 - primitive societies with no economic organisation
2 - slave based societies: slaves are the main mode of production
3 - Feudal societies: land owned by the monarch, leased to the lords, tenants and eventually serfs.
4 - Emergence of Capitalism
5 - Emergence of Proletariat and class consciousness
6 - Revolution and destruction of capitalism
7 - Socialism (dictatorship of the Proletariat)
8 - Withering away of socialist state
9 - Communism
10 - ‘end of History’
What is Historical Materialism
The view of Marx and Engels that each ‘stage of history’ was defined by a clash of economic ideas, relating to how society’s resources should be produced and distributed.
What is Class Consciousness
According to Marx and Engels -This was a by-product of capitalism, thrived among the downtrodden working class ‘proletariat’
Eventually be the engine of revolution
What is altruism
This is the principle and moral practice of concern for happiness of other human beings or animals, resulting in better quality of life for both material and spiritual.
What is Democratic socialism and the ‘inevitability of gradualism’
Democratic hence parties peacefully campaigning and gradually win the attention and trust of voters
The majority of voters (working class) would gradually and inevitably realise they had no vested interest in capitalism
Voters would inevitably elect socialist governments
Democratic socialist governments would inevitably oversee the gradual replacement of private to state ownership.
Voters would gradually recognise the progress being made and inevitably re-elect democratic socialist governments
The continuous effect of democratic socialist governments would gradually and inevitably produce a socialist society
the benefits of such society would inevitably be clear to all, thus making any reversal of socialism unlikely.
What is evolutionary socialism
Linked to democratic and revisionist socialism: evolutionary or parliamentary is rejection of revolutionary politics and belief that socialism can be achieved peacefully and gradually through the existing system.
What is revisionist socialism
Socialism can be achieved without the destruction of capitalism, destruction private property and revolution.
Therefore a form of evolutionary socialism and ‘Third way’ socialism.
What is Keynesian Economics
State managed market, decisions made so as to ensure steady growth and full employment
Social democrats believed that his would finance steady rises in public spending and thus greater equality.
Karl Marx 1818 - 83
Friedrich Engels 1820 - 95 Book Titles
The communist Manifesto 1848
Das Kapital 1867
Marx And Engels view on Human nature
Human nature had been ‘contaminated by capitalism’ which encourages - Selfishness, Ruthlessness and greed.
Capitalism gave mankind ‘False Consciousness’, separating them from mankind’s original nature
Original nature is cooperative, selfless and fraternal.
Marx and Engels view on the State
Revolution was essential.
From revolution the capitalist state would be destroyed and the new state would govern in the interests of the new ruling class. Dictatorship of the Proletariat
Once this new state has arise eventually it would ‘wither away’ becoming communist.
Stateless society involving common ownership and - ‘For Each According to his ability, To each according to his needs’
Marx and Engels View on the State
Capitalism has created two conflicted economic classes
- Bourgeoisie Ruling class, owned and managed the economy - Proletariat The working class, sold its labour to the Bourgeoisie
The capitalist society is Sickeningly yet fatally defined by class interests and class conflict.
Marx and Engels view on the Economy
Capitalism brought competitive nature between humans and creating a ‘surplus value’ - Employees paid minimum wages to allow maximum profit
Eventually capitalism will be destroyed and replaced by an economy based on collective ownership.
Rosa Luxemburg 1871 - 1919 Book Title
Reform or Revolution 1900
Luxemburg context and background
Looked to uphold the ideas of Marx
Member of the ‘German Social Democratic Party’ (SPD
After WW1 established the German Communist Party (KPD)
Luxemburg’s view on Human nature
Agree with Marx that capitalism promoted exploitation and at odds with humanity’s natural fraternal instincts
However it was not damaged to the extent which Marx thought. Humans were still fraternal, selfless and altruistic.
These values flourish in working class communities punished by capitalist economics
Luxemburg’s View on the state
The current capitalist state must be destroyed by revolution. This would be done through Spontaneous mass strike action.
She differed from Marx here dismissing the idea of revolution occurring from planning and leadership of a Vanguard Elite (front line soldiers)
The new state should be a genuine democracy, complete with free speech, open debate and free elections.
Luxemburg’s view on society
The capitalist society is class ridden and tries to force people against each other
Yet alternative societies, or sub-cultures, exist within downtrodden proletarian communities.
Luxemburg’s View on the economy
She believed that capitalism is more resilient than Marx once thought.
The current economic model must be destroyed and replaced by an economy based on workers control.
This requires determination and solidarity among the proletariat.
Beatrice Webb 1858 - 1943 context
She made significant contribution to the development of early democratic socialism - Inevitability of gradualism
Active in the Fabian Society
Webb was vital in the ‘Fabians’ Decision to align with the emerging Labour party - involved in Drafting Clause IV of Labours 1918 constitution
between 1905-09 she served on the royal commission that examined the state’s approach to poverty
Webb’s View on Human nature
The damage which capitalism has inflicted on the Human Psyche will be made worse only by violent revolution.
Humanity needs to be guided back, gradually to its original cooperative condition.
Webb’s view on the state
Neither paternalism or philanthropy was sustainable solution to the problems of poverty and inequality.
Poverty and inequality could only be eliminated through vigorous trade unionism and extensive state intervention.
If everybody could vote (universal suffrage) the existing state could be used to effect a gradual transition to socialism
Webb’s View on society
Capitalism was the principle cause of ‘Crippling poverty and demanding inequality’ in society.
A ‘corrupting force’ for humanity, fostering ‘unnatural’ levels of selfishness.
ultimately this depressed human potential while fostering regressive competition.
Webb’s view on The Economy
Webb in the Fabian Society was vital in the drafting of Clause IV of the Labour party constitution which set the president for the Welfare state today.
Webb thought a chaotic capitalist economy will !gradually! be replaced; by one which secures for workers the full fruits of their labour, based upon a common ownership of the means of production
Anthony Crosland (1918 - 77) Book Titles
The Future of Socialism - 1959
Education
The conservative enemy 1962
Socialism now 1973
Anthony Crosland Context
Crosland was a senior Labour party politician
Served as cabinet minister during 60s and 70s
Argued a new form of standard education named Comprehensive education. This would end the segregation of peoples at the age of 11 and create new schools catering to all abilities
comprehensive schools would
break down class divisions.
Anthony Crosland’s view on Human nature.
Crosland thought that human nature has a powerful sense of ‘fairness’ and an innate objection to huge inequalities
Anthony Crosland’s view on the state.
As a democratic socialist Crosland thought that socialism could be created through the current state.
Radical socialist change can come through the current state.
He argued societies could benefit from permanent economic growth and full employment without requiring any serious extension of public ownership
these societies could enjoy the steady growth of the welfare state.
Anthony Crosland’s view on society.
Crosland thought society was less ‘binary’ and was ‘infinitely more complex than Marx ever imagined.
these new classes were examples such as ‘managers’ and ‘technocrats’
Crosland’s view on the economy.
Crosland argued that socialism now requires a ‘mixed’ economy. Alongside key services and small number of industries owned by the state.
Capitalism has change for ever due to Keynesian ecnomics
State managed capitalism.
Anthony Giddens 1938 - present
Book titles
Beyond left and right - 1994
The third way: the renewal of social democracy - 1997
Giddens View on the state
He thought the existing state should be improved
Capitalism had corrosive effects, Capitalism and Individualism were irreversible.
The survival of social democracy
required recognition that free market capitalism had the ability to empower individuals economically
Anthony Giddens Context
He is known mainly as a sociologist, he helped to create a new strain of thinking within revisionist socialism
Giddens View on Human nature
He though human nature has been shaped by changing socio - economic conditions
Capitalism has corroded humans sense of individualism upon community and fraternity
Giddens view on Society
Society has undergone Embourgeoisement
People moving into the
bourgeoisie as a result of their
own efforts.
Giddens’ view on the Economy
Free market capitalism had the ability to empower individuals economically.
A neo-liberal economy propelled by privatisation and deregulation will provide huge tax yields.
allowing the finance of huge
public spending therefore
greater equality of opportunity
