Socialism

Question 1

To what extent do socialists agree on cooperation / collectivism?

Answer 1

1. revolutionary socialists / marxists strongly believe in this. Because revolution inevitable. ‘workers of all countries, unite’.
   however revisionists / third way think it is redundant because of meritocracy and a tolerance for capitalism.
2. third way is somewhat agrees in the form of communitarian liberalism (Giddens) E.g New Labour’s policies to end child poverty and redistribute wealth. maintained capitalist structure but holds responsibility of the individual to the wider community.
   However this is very weakly collectivism. Can be seen through the removal of clause IV from the New Labour manifesto, showing competition for the good of the public, priority over common ownership.
3. social democrats, e.g Corbyn, agree with economic aspects of collectivism. Crossland did not see the private sector viable for the long term in its present form. Policy to nationalise key industries and give more right to trade unions.
   However to a far lesser extent than revolutionary socialists. do not want universal collectivism and still want to preserve individualism to some extent.

Question 2

To what extent is there more to unite socialists than divide them?

Answer 2

1. need for some sort of equality unites them. E.g marxists believe in full equality of outcome.
   However other strands don’t want total equality. Preserve capitalism for some inequalities; only want equality of outcome.
2. agreement in the means. Democratic socialists and social democrats believe change is driven through political participation and education.
   disagreement because revolutionaries want a revolution.
3. common ownership. democratic socialists and Marxists believe in full socialism. Common ownership ends.
   Revisionists do not fully want this to happen.