Socialism

Question 1

What is Revolutionary Socialism?

Answer 1

• Most common and influential strand
• Derived from Marx’s ideas (1818 - 1893) and Friedrich Engels (1820 - 1895).
• Socialist values cannot coexist with capitalism - thus revolution is needed to transform society and the economy
• Rosa Luxembourg adapted these values (1871 - 1919). She insisted democracy and free elections must continue in a post-revolution society

Question 2

What is democratic socialism?

Answer 2

• Derived from Beatrice Webb (1858 - 1943) and the Fabian Society.
• This influenced Atlee’s government and Labour from its birth in 1900.
• Webb advocated for capitalism to be reformed gradually via parliament to achieve a socialist state.
• She endorsed mass nationalism and state management by a socialist elite to ensure social justice

Question 3

What is social democracy?

Answer 3

• Emerged in the 1950s, and disregarded Marxism whilst claiming democratic socialism was outdated.
• Argued social justice is more important than common ownership
• Inspired by the ideas of Anthony Crosland (1918 - 1977)

Question 4

What is the Third Way?

Answer 4

• Developed in the 1990s and inspired by the work of sociologist Anthony Giddens.
• He added a neo-liberal element to social democracy which can be seen in Blair and Brown’s new Labour governments from 1997 - 2010.

Question 5

What is collectivism?

Answer 5

• Collectivism informs other socialist values (e.g., equality and common ownership)
• Prioritises the group over the individual
• Rev socialists argued for workforces to collectively own all industry and society should be communal (E.g., Soviet Union state controlled economy, collectivised agricultural land and nationalised all industry)
• Dem Socialists supported nationalisation of industry leading to a collectivist economy via democratic elections
• Soc Democrats belie some capitalism is needed, but to be tempered with trade unions, NHS, comprehensive state education and key utilities being nationalised
• Third Way rejects collectivism and abandons the nationalisation of key utilities. Supports weaker trade unions. Supports free healthcare, with prescription charges and the option of private healthcare for non-essential treatment. Supports state education, with the expectation of students to help fund it (i.e. uni tuition fees)

Question 6

What is equality?

Answer 6

• Rev socialists believe it can only be achieved after revolution and the dismantling of capitalism. Support economic equality with individuals contributing to society, and receiving what they need.
• Dem Socialists think equality can only be achieved by the gradual abolition of capitalism and transformation into common ownership society, with income being distributed more evenly as the economy becomes nationalised. High taxation increases welfare through the classes.
• Soc Dems reject absolute equality and support a mixed economy (accept some economic inequality due to capitalism). Social inequality is reduced by breaking down class barriers via access to universal welfare and public services.
• Third Way reject equality, and support means tested benefits as high welfare levels disincentivised work. Abandon nationalisation and common ownership so accept economic inequality but aim to adress the worst aspects by providing public services, welfare, education to promote equality of opportunity.

Question 7

What is social class?

Answer 7

Socialists believe capitalism creates social divisions and a hierarchy but disagree on how to resolve this.
- Rev socialists believe revolution is needed to rectify this - capitalism reinforces oppression.
- Dem Socialists believe the issues surrounding social class can be solved by graduall moving to a socialist state w/ universal nationalisation, progressive taxation and welfare to erode the class divsions.
- Soc Dems reject class wars and oppose full social equality. Argue fairer wealth distribution with universal education minimises class divisions, accepting they can never truly be abolished.
- Third Way reject complete social equality. Stress importance of high quality state education to provide equality of opportunity (counteract overrepresentation of privately educated people in higher paid professions)

Question 8

What is worker’s control?

Answer 8

Worker’s control concerns the extent of influence workers have over the economy, and state and how it is to be achieved.
- Rev socialists promote worker’s control (Marx argued all societies were based on class conflict) and believe that class consciousness will eventually occur.
- Dem socialists advocate for workers control via nationalisation of state industries. Thus decisions will be made by the worker’s for the workers. Moreover, workers control will abolish class distinctions and establish a society centred around social justice and equality.
- Soc dems and third way argue worker’s control is outdated. Argue the world is now far more complex than when Marx wrote the communist manifesto. Evolutionary paths to social justice is the method that is politically achievable. However, this does not require extensive worker’s control.

Question 9

What is class consciousness?

Answer 9

When the proletariat become aware of their exploitation at the hands of the bourgeois. In doing so a revolutionary class emerges. Class consciousness results in the abolition of capitalism for a system that benefits the workers with them directly controlling the factories.

Question 10

Rev Socialist Human Nature

Answer 10

• ## Highly Positive