Socialism

Question 1

What are the core principles of socialism x5?

Answer 1

Equality 
Collectivism 
Common humanity
Social class
Worker’s control

Question 2

Describe equality:

Answer 2

All socialists agree people are born with innate human rights that translate into legal equality (foundational equality) and that people should have equality of opportunity

Question 3

Describe collectivism:

Answer 3

The belief that collective human endeavour is of greater value than individual behaviour
Priorities the rights of a group over the rights of individuals

Question 4

Describe common humanity:

Answer 4

The belief that humans are social creatures who are able to cooperate and be rational
Fraternity (viewing each other as brothers and sisters)

Question 5

Describe social class:

Answer 5

Socialists believe that class defines a person’s circumstances, prospects and attitudes 
Represent working class

Question 6

Describe worker’s control:

Answer 6

2 uses

1. Employees ownership and decision-making power within an organisation
2. Concept of control of state by workers

Question 7

When did socialism develop:

Answer 7

In the 19th century in response to inequality and social divisions created by the industrial revolution

Question 8

What was the aim of socialism?

Answer 8

To create a fairer more equal alternative to the capitalist system through revolution or evolution

Question 9

What are the different strands of socialism?

Answer 9

1. Fundamentalists v revisionists
2. Revolutionary v evolutionary socialists
3. Marxists v social democrats v 3rd way

Question 10

What are the 2 main strands of socialism?

Answer 10

Fundamentalist socialism

Revisionist socialism

Question 11

What is fundamentalist socialism?

Answer 11

The belief that capitalism must be abolished through revolution or evolution

Question 12

What are the two types of fundamentalist socialists?

Answer 12

Revolutionary socialists (Eg Marx & Engels and Luxemburg) and evolutionary socialists (Webb) – differ on how the capitalist system should be replaced

Question 13

What do revolutionists believe?

Answer 13

The state protects capital interests
Capitalism is too deep-rooted for gradual change
A classless society is required for absolute equality
Abolition of private property replacing it with common ownership

Question 14

Describe revolutionary socialism:

Answer 14

Developed in 19th century
Marxism
Fundamentalism = abolish capitalism
Radical means to achieve radical ends

Question 15

What are the aims of revolutionary socialism?

Answer 15

Aims = abolish capitalism, classless society, absolute equality

Question 16

What do evolutionary socialists believe?

Answer 16

Believe that capitalist system should be overthrown by gradual change
‘inevitability of gradualism’

Question 17

What is revisionist socialism?

Answer 17

The belief that socialism isn’t necessarily incompatible with capitalism

Question 18

What are the two types of revisionist socialists?

Answer 18

Social democracy and Third Way

Question 19

Describe social democracy:

Answer 19

Developed in early 20th century
Revisionists = gradual and peaceful change
Capitalism can be reformed using welfare
Focus on democracy as best way to achieve socialism

Question 20

Describe the 3rdy way:

Answer 20

Developed in 1980’s in response to success of Thatcher and Reagan
Pragmatic approach
UK Labour party

Question 21

Aims of 3rd way:

Answer 21

Accepts free-market capitalism, favours wealth creation over re-distribution and believes in a limited welfare state

Question 22

Describe Marx and Engels:

Answer 22

Revolutionary socialists and fundamentalists
Believed revolution was inevitable
Wrote the communist Manifesto
Argued that capitalism alienates workers from the product of their labour
2 classes – proletariat and the bourgeoisie
Believed a classless and stateless society would emerge with equality of outcome

Question 23

Describe Rosa Luxemburg: (minor)

Answer 23

Late 19th century
Revolutionary socialist and fundamentalist
Only revolution could achieve genuine change
Argues class consciousness is required to overthrow capitalism
Argued for a form of democracy based on elections

Question 24

Describe Beatrice Webb:

Answer 24

Late 19th/early 20th century
Evolutionary socialist and fundamentalist
Favoured democratic socialism over Marxism
Believed that expansion of the state (rather than overthrowing it) would deliver socialism
Supported paternalistic socialism: elite groups w socialist principles necessary to provide welfare and reforms
Favoured strong trade unions

Question 25

Describe Anthony Crosland:

Answer 25

20th century Evolutionary socialist and revisionist Believed outright opposition to capitalism was bad and that private ownership and mixed economy must be accepted Argued that managed capitalism could deliver equality Argued for a comprehensive education system to break down class divisions

Question 26

Describe Anthony Giddens:

Answer 26

20th century Believes capitalism is inevitable Completely rejects Marxism Embraces free market as leads to economic growth that benefits all Prioritises equality of opportunity over equality of outcome Focus on education “education, education, education” – Blair Inspired New Labour

Question 27

What are socialists’ views on human nature x4?

Answer 27

Progressive Optimistic and idealists Co-operative Born equal

Question 28

What are socialists’ views on society x3?

Answer 28

Equality Working with others (fraternity) Importance of social class

Question 29

What are socialists’ views on the state?

Answer 29

MAJOR DISAGREEMENT Fundamentalists want to abolish capitalist state Revisionists see a positive role for the state

Question 30

What agreements are there for socialists surrounding the economy?

Answer 30

- All socialists agree an economy purely based on private property and capitalism will have negative effects - All socialists seek to use the economy to make society as fair as possible - All believe in some degree of collectivism in economy to encourage cooperation and fraternity

Question 31

What disagreements are there for socialists surrounding the economy?

Answer 31

1. Fundamentalists (Marx & Engels) v Revisionists (Crossland and Giddens) Fundamentalists believe in the abolition of private property and capitalism replacing it with common ownership and a classless communist system Revisionists believe capitalism should be reformed to achieve equality using Keynesian principles (social democrats) and market economy (Third Way) 2. Within fundamentalists: Revolutionary socialists (Marx) v Evolutionary socialists (Webb) Revolutionary socialists believe that a new non-capitalist economy should be created quickly through revolution, whereas evolutionary socialists believe a non-capitalist economy would be created through gradual change through a series of elected socialist government

Question 32

What agreements are there for socialists surrounding human nature?

Answer 32

- Believe human nature is malleable - Believe that people are naturally sociable and thrive as a community - Natural to want fairness - Fundamental importance of fraternity and co-operation

Question 33

What disagreements are there for socialists surrounding human nature?

Answer 33

1. Fundamentalists v Revisionists Fundamentalists, like Marx believed that human nature is particularly susceptible to prevailing economic system and viewed capitalism as very damaging – human nature contaminated by capitalism Revisionists, like Giddens, argue that human nature can flourish under capitalism 2. Equality Marxists believe in absolute equality whereas social democrats believe in relative equality Revisionists, like Giddens, believe it is natural to seek fairness but also natural for people to be aspirational

Question 34

What agreements are there for socialists surrounding society?

Answer 34

- That the needs of the ‘group’ should take priority over the needs of the ‘individual’ - Principle of egalitarianism (equality) - Social environment is crucial in determining human nature

Question 35

What disagreements are there for socialists surrounding society?

Answer 35

1. Fundamentalists v Revisionists How society should be reformed: through a revolution (Marx) or through evolution (Webb) 2. Outcome Fundamentalists believe that the aim should be absolute equality of outcome + complete eradication of capitalism Revisionists believe social justice should be achieved through relative social equality and genuine equality of opportunity (Giddens) + working alongside capitalism

Question 36

What agreements are there for socialists surrounding the state?

Answer 36

- Strong state is important to achieve core socialist values - State should not be monarchical or aristocratic – political power must be based on equality

Question 37

What disagreements are there for socialists surrounding the state?

Answer 37

1. Fundamentalists v revisionists Fundamentalists believe that a capitalist state must be overthrown Revisionists believe that a capitalist state merely needs reform 2. Revisionists Third Way thinkers, like Giddens, disagree with social democrats, like Crossland about ho much intervention and spending there should by the state Crosland – High levels of government spending, redistribution of income and wealth, important role for the state Giddens – State should work in partnership with private companies to facilitate the ‘competition state’, too much spending on welfare can lead to ‘culture of independency’