Socialism

Question 1

Socialism

Answer 1

Based on the idea of collective
ownership of economic and social systems.

Question 1

Capitalism

Answer 1

Economic systems are owned
privately for profit

Question 2

What do socialists believe about the individual

Answer 2

believe that society impacts the individual (this is a nurture
argument – you are shaped by the things around you)

Question 3

Fraternity

Answer 3

The bonds of comradeship between human beings.

Question 4

Co-operation

Answer 4

Working collectively to achieve mutual benefits.

Question 5

Capitalism

Answer 5

An economic system, organised by the market, where goods are
produced for profit and wealth is privately owned.

Question 6

Common ownership

Answer 6

Is the common ownership of the means of production so that all
are able to benefit from the wealth of society and to participate in its running.

Question 7

Communism

Answer 7

The communal organisation of social existence based on the
common ownership of wealth.

Question 8

Evolutionary Socialism

Answer 8

A parliamentary route, which would deliver a long-term, radical transformation in a gradual, piecemeal way through legal and peaceful means, via the state.

Question 9

Marxism

Answer 9

An ideological system, within socialism, that drew on the writings of Marx and Engels and has at its core a philosophy of history that explains why it is inevitable that capitalism will be replaced by
communism.

Question 10

Revisionism

Answer 10

A move to re-define socialism that involves a less radical view of capitalism and a reformed view of socialism.

Question 11

Social Justice

Answer 11

A distribution of wealth that is morally justifiable and implies a
desire to limit inequality.

Question 12

Class Consciousness

Answer 12

The self-understanding of social class that is a historical
phenomenon, created out of collective struggle.

Question 13

Historical Materialism

Answer 13

Marxist theory that the economic base (the economic system) forms the superstructure (culture, politics, law, ideology, religion, art and social consciousness).

Question 14

Dialectic

Answer 14

A process of development that occurs through the conflict between two opposing forces. In Marxism, class conflict creates internal contradictions within society, which drives historical change.

Question 15

Keynesian Economics

Answer 15

Government intervention – can stabilise the economy and aims to deliver full employment and price stability.

Question 16

Karl Marx (1818–83) and Friedrich Engels (1820–95)

Answer 16

The centrality of social class – the ideas of historical
materialism, dialectic change and revolutionary class
consciousness.

Humans as social beings – how nature is socially determined
and how true common humanity can be expressed only under
communism.

Question 17

Beatrice Webb (1858–1943)

Answer 17

‘The inevitability of gradualness’ – the gradualist parliamentary strategy for achieving
evolutionary socialism.

The expansion of the state – that this, and not the overthrow
of the state, is critical in delivering socialism.

Question 18

Rosa Luxemburg (1871–1919)

Answer 18

Evolutionary socialism and revisionism – this is not possible as capitalism is based on an economic relationship of exploitation.

Struggle by the proletariat for reform and democracy – this
creates the class consciousness necessary for the overthrow of
the capitalist society and state.

Question 19

Anthony Crosland (1918–77)

Answer 19

The inherent contradictions in capitalism – does not drive
social change and managed capitalism can deliver social
justice and equality.

State-managed capitalism – includes the mixed economy, full
employment and universal social benefits.

Question 20

Anthony Giddens (1938– )

Answer 20

The rejection of state intervention – acceptance of the free market in the economy, emphasis on equality of opportunity over equality, responsibility and community over class conflict.

The role of the state – is social investment in infrastructure
and education not economic and social engineering.