Socialism Flashcards
What is socialism?
A political and economic theory of social organisation which advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole. It holds the position of the group over the individual.
What is socialism guiding principle?
Collectivism
What is the principle of collectivism?
It believes that people will achieve more when they work together, rather than in self interest. Collectivism promotes equality, welfare and common ownership. Socialists believe that human nature supports collectivism and that humans prefer groups.
What characteristics do socialists want the state to embody?
They want a strong and centralised state, with a planned economy
Why do socialists believe in a state planned economy?
Ensures resources are allocated and distributed fairly because capitalism and the free market cannot be trusted to ensure the fair allocation of resources. Marxists also believe in collective ownership as well as complete state control of the economy.
What 5 things does the idea of social collectivism revolve around?
- Industrial relations
- Housing (believe in public housing as to guarantee housing for all)
- Education (right not a privilege, e.g. Labour in the 60s believed in Comprehensive school system)
- Industry (means of production in hands of the state)
- Healthcare (free healthcare for all, e.g. NHS)
Which country could be considered closest to having social collectivism in the world?
Sweden.
Do socialists have a positive view of human nature?
Yes. The most of the major ideologies we study.
What 3 qualities do Socialists believe are at the core of human nature?
Cooperation, sociability and rationality
How does capitalism damage common humanity (according to socialists)?
The competition of capitalism damages society and causes divisions which lead to conflict. Cooperation leads to connections based on understanding, respect and mutual support as well as economic growth which benefits the entirety of society (competition leads to the opposite).
How does internationalist socialists differ to Stalin’s socialism in terms of common humanity?
Internationalism believes in the spread of common humanity across the world, Stalin focused solely on the USSR.
What do socialists believe incentivises people to work in a socialist economy?
The moral incentive to work for the common good.
What are criticisms of the socialist view of common humanity and human nature?
Too unrealistic and too utopian
Why is social equality important in a socialist society?
It ensures fairness
What do more radical socialists believe on the topic of social equality?
Everyone is born with potential to be equal. They reject equality of opportunity without equality of outcome (absolute equality) because it treats people differently based on their ability or economic utility.
What do more moderate socialists (social democrats) believe on the topic of social equality?
They believe in equality of opportunity but because people are born with different abilities there will inevitably be some degree of inequality, therefore, they strive for relative equality and they believe in redistribution to some degree to reduce this inequality and reach relative equality for all.
How does social equality reinforce collectivism?
If we all work for the common good, it will lead to a fairer and more socially equal society.
What is the argument to support absolute social equality?
It satisfies basic human needs. All basic human needs are the same, therefore, there should be an equal distribution of wealth and resources. This will promote human fulfilment and human potential.
How do Marxists propose guaranteeing absolute equality?
The controlled distribution of goods and services, the abolition of private ownership and crucially the common ownership of all means of production. Effort rewarded not profit.
How do social Democrats propose guaranteeing relative equality?
(More limited) state intervention via welfare, public spending on public services (and public sector infrastructure) and progressive taxation
Why do social democrats (and more moderate ‘socialists’) oppose absolute equality?
It is unrealistic and an artificial way of controlling resources, also effort and ability deserves to be rewarded to some degree.
What is the definition of equality of outcome?
The belief in a system that rewards should be based on an individual’s contribution.
What is absolute equality?
The belief in a system based on the notion that everyone will receive the same rewards, providing they contribute to society.
What is equality of welfare?
The belief in a system that accepts that human society is inevitably unequal but also maintains that everyone is entitled to have an equal minimum standard of living guaranteed by state welfare provisions.
What is equality of opportunity?
The belief in a system in which everyone should have an equal chance to make the best of their abilities (race, gender, sexuality, lack of education… is not a hurdle)
What is the argument for common ownership?
Wealth should be owned collectively as all of society works together to create it
Why is private ownership bad (thus supporting common ownership)?
Causes materialism, jealousy and promotes the false notion that money makes you happy. Private property generates social conflict between the bourgeois (haves) and proletariat (have nots)
What is the consensus amongst most modern socialists on the topic of complete common ownership?
It doesn’t really work and has been proven to be unpopular, especially post-1989. Most promote an approach of nationalisation of key industries only (rest of economy in private hands), like the Labour gov’t of the post war period did. France is the only major country to have a sizeable minority of parties advocating common ownership.
