Socialism

Question 1

What are the 5 core principles of Socialism

Answer 1

1. Equality (the fundamental value of socialism)
2. Collectivism (the community is more important than the individual)
3. Common Humanity (see humans as social creatures with a tendency towards co-operation, sociability and rationality)
4. Workers’ Control (refers to the complete or partial ownership of economic enterprise by those employed there)
5. Social Class (a group of people in society who have the same socioeconomic status/background)

Question 2

What are the 3 strands of socialism

Answer 2

1. Revolutionary socialism - it can only be brought about only by the overthrow of the existing political and societal structures
2. Social Democracy - an ideological view that wishes to humanise capitalism in the interest of social justice
3. Third Way - a middle ground alternative route to socialism and free market capitalism

Question 3

Who are the Key thinkers (5)

Answer 3

1. Karl Marx (Revolutionary)
2. Rosa Luxemburg (Revolutionary)
3. Beatrice Webb (Social Democracy)
4. Anthony Crosland (Social Democracy)
5. Anthony Giddens (Third Way)

Question 4

Quote for Karl Marx

Answer 4

“Workers of the world unite; you have nothing to lose but your chains”

Question 5

Quote for Rosa Luxemburg

Answer 5

“the proletariat must seize political power and suppress completely the capitalist system”

Question 6

Quote for Beatrice Webb

Question 7

Quote for Anthony Crosland

Answer 7

“As a democratic socialist profoundly committed to the rule of law, I could not condone, let alone encourage, defiance of law”
He argued that post-war capitalism has fundamentally changed meaning that the Marxist claim that it is not possible to pursue equality in a capitalist economy was no longer true

Question 8

Quote for Anthony Giddens

Answer 8

“The new mixed economy looks for a synergy between public and private sectors”
“Socialism is dead as an economic doctrine”