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politics paper 1 > Socialism > Flashcards

Socialism Flashcards

1
Q

What are the core principles of socialism x5?

A 
Equality 
Collectivism 
Common humanity
Social class
Worker’s control
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2
Q

Describe equality:

A

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

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3
Q

Describe collectivism:

A

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

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4
Q

Describe common humanity:

A

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

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5
Q

Describe social class:

A 
Socialists believe that class defines a person’s circumstances, prospects and attitudes 
Represent working class
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6
Q

Describe worker’s control:

A

2 uses

  1. Employees ownership and decision-making power within an organisation
  2. Concept of control of state by workers
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7
Q

When did socialism develop:

A

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

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8
Q

What was the aim of socialism?

A

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

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9
Q

What are the different strands of socialism?

A
  1. Fundamentalists v revisionists
  2. Revolutionary v evolutionary socialists
  3. Marxists v social democrats v 3rd way
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10
Q

What are the 2 main strands of socialism?

A

Fundamentalist socialism

Revisionist socialism

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11
Q

What is fundamentalist socialism?

A

The belief that capitalism must be abolished through revolution or evolution

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12
Q

What are the two types of fundamentalist socialists?

A

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

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13
Q

What do revolutionists believe?

A

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

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14
Q

Describe revolutionary socialism:

A

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

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15
Q

What are the aims of revolutionary socialism?

A

Aims = abolish capitalism, classless society, absolute equality

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16
Q

What do evolutionary socialists believe?

A

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

17
Q

What is revisionist socialism?

A

The belief that socialism isn’t necessarily incompatible with capitalism

18
Q

What are the two types of revisionist socialists?

A

Social democracy and Third Way

19
Q

Describe social democracy:

A

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

20
Q

Describe the 3rdy way:

A

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

21
Q

Aims of 3rd way:

A

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

22
Q

Describe Marx and Engels:

A

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

23
Q

Describe Rosa Luxemburg: (minor)

A

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

24
Q

Describe Beatrice Webb:

A

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

25
Q

Describe Anthony Crosland:

A

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

26
Q

Describe Anthony Giddens:

A

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

27
Q

What are socialists’ views on human nature x4?

A

Progressive
Optimistic and idealists
Co-operative
Born equal

28
Q

What are socialists’ views on society x3?

A

Equality
Working with others (fraternity)
Importance of social class

29
Q

What are socialists’ views on the state?

A

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

30
Q

What agreements are there for socialists surrounding the economy?

A
  • 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
31
Q

What disagreements are there for socialists surrounding the economy?

A
  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
32
Q

What agreements are there for socialists surrounding human nature?

A
  • 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
33
Q

What disagreements are there for socialists surrounding human nature?

A
  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
34
Q

What agreements are there for socialists surrounding society?

A
  • 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
35
Q

What disagreements are there for socialists surrounding society?

A
  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
36
Q

What agreements are there for socialists surrounding the state?

A
  • Strong state is important to achieve core socialist values
  • State should not be monarchical or aristocratic – political power must be based on equality
37
Q

What disagreements are there for socialists surrounding the state?

A
  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’

politics paper 1 (6 decks)

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