Socialism Flashcards
What do socialists agree about human nature
it’s is malleable - moulded by circumstances and cannot be understood separately from society
we are capable of cooperation - fraternity
What do socialists disagree about human nature?
Marx thought capitalism invariably creates conflict however social democrats and their way argue it promotes responsibility toward a each other
Marxist believe we are entirely shaped by the economy while social democrats and third way see other facyors
What does all socialist believe about collectivism?
collective human effort is more economically productive than competition and more morally valuable as we become a community
values community over the individual
What do socialist disagree about collectivism?
Social democrats and third way felt competition could be positive as it generates wealth while marx saw competition as alienation
the balance between the needs of community and individual - third way pouts individual fulfilment first
what do all socialist agree about equality
some greater degree of economic equality
- leads to unity as they see each other as equals
- creates a fair economy where there are not factory oweners with clear privilege
- we all have the same basic needs so should have the same funds to fill this
What do socialist disagree about equality
revolutionary desire absolute economic equality which an abolish of the rich and poor divide
social democrats agree economic equality matters but narrows it rather than abolishing it
third way don’t try to pursue economic equality but rather pursue equality of opportunity
What is social class
a group of people in society who have the same socio economic status
What do all socialists agree about social class
it is the role of socialist parties to advance the j tests of the working class
working class have a role to play in securing their own advancement - either evolution, voting in election or pursuing education
What do socialists disagree about social class?
Marx - it is central to division in society and social change will only come when the proletariat rise up in relocation and establish a classless system
social democrats - the state can redistribute some wealth to ameliorate class conflict and blue collar workers elect socialist governments to make change
third way - social change can only come when socialist parties reach out to the whole community not just working class
what do all socialists agree about workers control?
workers should take some control of the economy and state
they believe in common owenership so everyone can benefit
what do socialists disagree about workers control?
revolutionary - private ownership should be abolished and the state should be taken over by the proletariat and eventually either away
social democrats - common ownership in only certain industries but workers should reverse control through elections
third way - markets could generate wealth so did not renationalise
What are the features of revolutionary socialism?
socialism can only be reached by the sudden and complete overthrow of social structures
in nineteenth century workers life’s in extreme poverty as exploited by capitalism
Karl Marx agreed the system needed to be replaced by commubusn
What are the features of social democracy?
less hostile view of capitalism- should be criticised and reformed
rich poor gap should be narrowed not abolished
socialism can be legally and peacefully achieved via elections
What are the five main themes of the third way
relatively small state taht allows for a dynamic free market
social responsibility to each other
consensus in place of class conflict
social inclusion not equality
the completion state
What is the economic base and supserstructure
economic base - economic system, technology levels
superstructure - culture, politics, law, ideology, religion
What are the three key stages in historical materialism?
feudal economic system - lead to monarchy and religious beliefs about God
capitalist economic system - lead to pseudo democracy and liberal beliefs
communist economic system - stateless society and end to false ideological ideas
What does dialectal change
a process of development in which interaction between two opposing forces leader to a further higher stage
What will happen when revolutionary class conciousness is achieved
proletariat will be aware that they are being exploited and aware that if they unite and rise up collectively their overwhelming numbers give them the power to overthroow the bourgeoise
What will happen after revolution
establish common ownership
establish a temporary dictatorship of the proletariat which will ultiametely end in a classless communist society
What is Marx’s theory of alienation
self - humans are alientaed from their naturally creative nature due to capitalisms montonus range
labour - we tend not to enjoy work in capitalism
others - creates competition between others which runs against our cooperative potential
product - proletariat make the product but borugeoise take the profit
How fast did Webbe believe change should take place
gradually - franchise will eventually be extended to include workers who will sway elections to socialist governments and this will transform society
What did Webb believe about the state
the state must be expanded not overthrown - the state needs to be impregnated with a technical elite who held socialist ideas
What did Webb found to help with this change
Fabian society
Minority Report - influenced Beveridge report
LSE - train civil servants
this will create well trained civil servants to guide the mass of citizens to a Socialist state
Why did Luxemburg reject evolutionary socialism
capitalism is based on exploitation
reforms only distract socialist parties from the need for revolution - need to develop a class conciousness
