socialism

Question 1

what is the general socialist view of human nature?

Answer 1

most socialist have optimistic view of human nature, individuals are naturally fraternal and cooperative. our human nature is easily shaped by our environment

Question 2

what is the general socialist view of society?

Answer 2

class conflict and distinction is central to an individual’s fate and are shaped by it. social classes are profoundly unequal. this can be changed with equality of outcome as well as opportunity. this sees emphasis on social justice

Question 3

what is the general socialist view of the economy?

Answer 3

most socialists believe that capitalism causes oppression of the working class, capitalism encourages competition and generates inequality. this can be changed with a economy based on common ownership and redistribution of wealth, increase in public spending and state control over the economy

Question 4

what is the general socialist view of the state?

Answer 4

all socialists agree that the state needs to be strong to ensure a fairer and more equal society. it supports the redistribution of political power that rejects hierarchy. the state also needs to be extensive to increase social equality

Question 5

what did Tony Benn call redistribution of wealth?

Answer 5

‘Robin Hood politics’ as it steals from the rich and gives to the poor

Question 6

what groups are revolutionary socialists?

Answer 6

• marxists
• Luxembourg
• neo-marxists
• marxism-leninism

Question 7

what groups are evolutionary socialism?

Answer 7

• democratic socialists
• social democrats
• third way

Question 8

what is historical materialism? (Marx)

Answer 8

the theory that argues economic factors are the catalyst for historical and social development within society. capitalism, the economic base, forms the superstructure which is the foundation for society and is reinforced by the state

Question 9

what is dialect? (Marx)

Answer 9

historical development is driven by dialect, which is the clash of ideas and perceptions of history (the exploited and exploiters). history has passed through the first 4 stages. Marx predicted that the final stage would lead to revolution

Question 10

what is class consciousness? (Marx)

Answer 10

the moment when the proletariat realises that capitalism is exploiting them, being the catalyst for revolution

Question 11

how did Luxembourg disagree with Marx?

Answer 11

disagreed with historical materialism as she argued revolution could occur. Luxembourg disagreed about a dictatorship and that there should be a democracy with unrestricted freedom

Question 12

how do Social democrats believe social justice can be delivered?

Answer 12

Crosland believed that managed capitalism could deliver social justice. proposes using wealth to ensure funds well distributed. promoted through progressive taxation

Question 13

what are the key beliefs of the third way?

Answer 13

• recognition of free market
• embracing competitive state
• embracing community, moral responsibility, social inclusion
• importance of equality of opportunity

Question 14

what do Marx and Engles believe on human nature? (marxism)

Answer 14

human nature is fraternal and altruistic but has been contaminated by capitalism, instilling the false consciousness of bourgeois values

Question 15

what do Marx and Engles believe on the state? (marxism)

Answer 15

the state is tool of dominant capitalist class, it must be destroyed by revolution and replaced by dictatorship of the proletariat until the state eventually withers away and communism is established

Question 16

what do Marx and Engles believe on society? (marxism)

Answer 16

capitalist society is defined by class conflict. capitalists take the surplus value from workers, society exploits workers. a communist society will be the perfect ‘end to history’

Question 17

what do Marx and Engles believe on the economy? (marxism)

Answer 17

capitalism is corrupt, inefficient and self destructive. it should be replaced and destroyed by an economy based on common ownership with regulated and state controlled economy.

Question 18

what does Luxembourg believe on human nature? (revolutionary)

Answer 18

human nature has not been damaged to the extent Marx alleged. fraternity and altruism still flourish in working class communities.

Question 19

what does Luxembourg believe on the state? (revolutionary)

Answer 19

the state must be destroyed by revolution, although under different circumstances to Marx as revolution could occur from strike action. the replacement state should be genuine democracy

Question 20

what does Luxembourg believe on society?

Answer 20

capitalist society is class ridden, the elite oppress the working class creating conflict, a socialist state would create equality of opportunity

Question 21

what does Luxembourg believe on the economy? (revolutionary)

Answer 21

capitalism is more resilient than Marx allowed. its eventual destruction will be an economy based on workers control and will require determination among workers

Question 22

what does Webb believe on human nature? (democratic socialist)

Answer 22

capitalism has inflicted damage upon the human psyche.
believes the working class are intellectually and morally imperfect. human nature should be gradually moved towards cooperative condition

Question 23

what does Webb believe on the state? (democratic socialist)

Answer 23

the existing state should be used to create socialist state, this would be achieved by universal suffrage and gradualism

Question 24

what does Webb believe on society? (democrats socialism)

Answer 24

the poverty and inequalities of a capitalist society continue to depress human potential while fostering aggressive competition. a socialist society will produce equality of outcome

Question 25

what does Webb believe on the economy? (democratic socialist)

Answer 25

the chaotic capitalist economy will be gradually replaced with one that secures workers the full fruits of their labour, based upon common ownership of the means of production

Question 26

what does Crosland believe on human nature? (social democrat)

Answer 26

human nature has a powerful sense of fairness and innate objection to huge inequalities of outcome which hinder progress

Question 27

what does Crosland believe on the state? (social democrat)

Answer 27

the state should be managed by ‘meritocratic managers’ and classless technocrats. the existing state can be used to achieve this

Question 28

what does Crosland believe on society? (social democrat)

Answer 28

society is increasingly complicated, altered by emergence of new social groups such as meritocratic managers.
state management will effect social change and bring about greater social justice

Question 29

what does Crosland believe on the economy? (social democrat)

Answer 29

a mixed economy underpinned by limited public ownership and Keynesian capitalism, which will finance grater public spending to secure equality

Question 30

what does Giddens believe on human nature? (third way)

Answer 30

human nature has been shaped by changing socio-economic conditions, the pro-fairness instinct competes with the individual aspiration

Question 31

what does Giddens believe on the state? (third way)

Answer 31

the existing state should be improved by redistributing and decentralising political power, while refraining from economic and social engineering

Question 32

what does Giddens believe on society? (third way)

Answer 32

emphasis on cultural and political equality

society has undergone embourgeoisement, egalitarians must harness rather than deny this

Question 33

what does Giddens believe on the economy? (third way)

Answer 33

a Neo-liberal economy propelled by privatisation and deregulation, will provide huge tax yields. this will fund huge public spending, which will secure greater equality of opportunity

Question 34

what tensions are there within socialism about human nature?

Answer 34

all socialists believe that human nature is malleable and not permanent. Marx believed it was susceptible to which ever economic system it was under, making it likely to install false consciousness that can only be solved via revolution.
others such as giddens argue that humans can prosper under capitalism yet still appreciate core beliefs like fraternity and collectivism

Question 35

what tensions are there within socialism about society?

Answer 35

all socialists see our environment as determining our personality. revolutionary socialists believe society is so sick that only a revolution can provide solution. Webb believed it could be improved gradually with socialist valued becoming more entrenched through reform.
crosland and giddens would say that society can be improved but alongside capitalism

Question 36

what tensions are there within socialism about the state?

Answer 36

the state is vital to promotion of core values. Marx believed the capitalist state would be destroyed by revolution and replaced by dictatorship until the state withered away. democratic socialist and revisionists would say that the state can be used for reform into socialist values which requires constitutional reform rather than abolition

Question 37

what tensions are there within socialism about the economy?

Answer 37

Marx, Luxembourg and webb believed socialism is incompatible with capitalism. marxists believe that a new economy should be created by revolution, however webb said it should be created gradually through elected governments.
revisionists believe that socialism is possible with capitalism, with crosland believing the economy should be mixed whilst third way think it should be a Neo-liberal economy