Socialism Flashcards
Revolutionary socialists
Marx and Luxemburg
Believe that socialism can only be brought about by an overthrow of the existing political structures
Democratic socialist
Webb
Humanise capitalism for the benefit of social justice
Third way socialists
Crosland and Giddens
Accept that managed capitalism cab deliver social justice and equality, an prompt free market capitalism
Marx and Engels views on human nature
Capitalism has ‘deformed’ humans
Believe that humans are social and economic beings
A collective, state led economy will allow humans to reach their potential
Marx and Engles views on society
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
Marx and Engels views on the state
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
Marx and Engels views on the economy
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
Rosa Luxemburg views on human nature
Similar to Marx’s views, but not as extreme
Capitalism has not destroyed fraternalism or altruism
Luxenburg’s views on society
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
Luxenburg’s views on achieving socialism
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
Marx and Engels views on achieving socialism
End goal is communism
Achieved by revolution of the proletariat , achieving a transition phase where there would be state control then common ownership
Luxenburg’s views on the state
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
Luxenburg’s views on the economy
Capitalism would be tough to replace
Mass worker strike action would ignite a revolutionary movement to overthrow capitalism
Believed in common ownership
Beatrice Webb views on human nature
Violent revolution would only damage human nature further
Humans need to be guided back to its cooperative position
Capitalism is corrupting and creates selfishness
Webb views on society
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
Webb views on achieving socialism
‘The inevitability of gradualness’, where parliamentary democracy, not revolution, will deliver a socialist society
Webb views on the state
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
Webb views on the economy
Based on common ownership of the means production
Capitalist economy replaced
Workers would not control means of production
Anthony Crosland views on human nature
Optimistic about human nature
Humans innately fair and against inequality
Crosland views on the state
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
Crosland views on society
Economic change would lead to less binary society, no longe employers and employees Breakdown of class divides and equality of opportunity
Crosland views on the economy
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
Giddens views on human nature
Influenced by cultural and economic elites
Giddens view on the state
State must be proactive and invest in infrastructure and welfare
A modernised education system is vita
Giddens views on society
Individuals will become stakeholders and have rights and responsibilities within society
Strong sense of social cohesion allows capitalism to work best
Giddens view on the economy
Capitalism must be worked with in pursuit of further equality
Free market capitalism enriches and empower society
