Socialism

Question 1

Revolutionary socialists

Answer 1

Marx and Luxemburg

Believe that socialism can only be brought about by an overthrow of the existing political structures

Question 2

Democratic socialist

Answer 2

Webb

Humanise capitalism for the benefit of social justice

Question 3

Third way socialists

Answer 3

Crosland and Giddens

Accept that managed capitalism cab deliver social justice and equality, an prompt free market capitalism

Question 4

Marx and Engels views on human nature

Answer 4

Capitalism has ‘deformed’ humans
Believe that humans are social and economic beings
A collective, state led economy will allow humans to reach their potential

Question 5

Marx and Engles views on society

Answer 5

Capitalism has created 2 classes which cannot coexist
It is inevitable that there will be an overthrow of the bourgeoisie by the proletariat
Communism is the final end point, with a transitional period in between
Religion and patriotism weakened class consciousness
Equality of opportunity achieved after revolution
Rejected equality of welfare, as it has capitalist aspects

Question 6

Marx and Engels views on the state

Answer 6

State is not politically neutral, it is a committee of the ruling capitalist class
Social reforms produced by the state weaken the masses’ mission to overthrow it
Revolution would see a new state arise, the dictatorship of the proletariat
State will eventually wither away after the revolution

Question 7

Marx and Engels views on the economy

Answer 7

Capitalism is not tolerated as it only leads to a small elite befitting from it
Capitalism -> revolution -> state ownership -> common ownership
Each individual would contribute to the economy, then take what they needed
Dismissed equality of outcome in a capitalist economy

Question 8

Rosa Luxemburg views on human nature

Answer 8

Similar to Marx’s views, but not as extreme

Capitalism has not destroyed fraternalism or altruism

Question 9

Luxenburg’s views on society

Answer 9

Revolution would occur spontaneously after class conscious had been brought about, it did not need to wait for capitalism to reach its final stage
Subcultures exists within society
Advocated free speech and democracy

Question 10

Luxenburg’s views on achieving socialism

Answer 10

A spontaneous revolution will occur, through mass strike action and the growth of class consciousness 
Capitalism did not need to reach a final stage for it to be abolished

Question 11

Marx and Engels views on achieving socialism

Answer 11

End goal is communism
Achieved by revolution of the proletariat , achieving a transition phase where there would be state control then common ownership

Question 12

Luxenburg’s views on the state

Answer 12

Capitalist state must be destroyed and replaced with a democracy with free speech and elections
Critical of evolutionary socialism, saying that revolution is only way to change the state

Question 13

Luxenburg’s views on the economy

Answer 13

Capitalism would be tough to replace
Mass worker strike action would ignite a revolutionary movement to overthrow capitalism
Believed in common ownership

Question 14

Beatrice Webb views on human nature

Answer 14

Violent revolution would only damage human nature further
Humans need to be guided back to its cooperative position
Capitalism is corrupting and creates selfishness

Question 15

Webb views on society

Answer 15

Inequality created by capitalism decreases human potential
Regressive competition occurs in a capitalist society
Paternalism is not a solution
Working class will vote for socialist parties

Question 16

Webb views on achieving socialism

Answer 16

‘The inevitability of gradualness’, where parliamentary democracy, not revolution, will deliver a socialist society

Question 17

Webb views on the state

Answer 17

Work with the current system and the state would gradually change to socialism
State intervention the most effective way to eliminate inequality
‘The professional expert’
Expansion of the state is vital

Question 18

Webb views on the economy

Answer 18

Based on common ownership of the means production
Capitalist economy replaced
Workers would not control means of production

Question 19

Anthony Crosland views on human nature

Answer 19

Optimistic about human nature

Humans innately fair and against inequality

Question 20

Crosland views on the state

Answer 20

Managed capitalism can deliver social justice and equality
Keynesian economic allowed sufficient expansion to secure welfare state
Supported Gaitskell’s proposals to amend clause 4

Question 21

Crosland views on society

Answer 21

Economic change would lead to less binary society, no longe employers and employees 
Breakdown of class divides and equality of opportunity

Question 22

Crosland views on the economy

Answer 22

Managed capitalism with a mixed economy
Just a few key services to be owned by the state
No need for total public ownership, just need for equality
Public spending is more important than public ownership

Question 23

Giddens views on human nature

Answer 23

Influenced by cultural and economic elites

Question 24

Giddens view on the state

Answer 24

State must be proactive and invest in infrastructure and welfare
A modernised education system is vita

Question 25

Giddens views on society

Answer 25

Individuals will become stakeholders and have rights and responsibilities within society
Strong sense of social cohesion allows capitalism to work best

Question 26

Giddens view on the economy

Answer 26

Capitalism must be worked with in pursuit of further equality
Free market capitalism enriches and empower society