Socialism

Question 1

Define socialism

Answer 1

1 opposes capitalism
2 wants to create a society based on key ideas of collectivism and common humanity
3 based on principles of equality, welfare and common ownership

Question 2

Define collectivism

Answer 2

1 Belief that humans can achieve political, social and economic objectives more effectively through collective action
2 it suggests society can only be transformed by collective endevour

Question 3

3 define common humanity

Answer 3

1 socialists see humans as social creatures who tend to co operate socially and rationally
2 an individual can not be understood without reference to society because human behaviour is determined by peoples place in society

Question 4

What are the arguments in favour of collectivism

Answer 4

1 Human Nature - humans are social creatures who tend to work together to achieve their goals tied together by bonds of fraternity
2 Society - interests of a group of people should take priority over individuals self interest
2a - people are defined by social groups they belong to so membership of a community offers fulfilment
3 economy - working together utilises the economic potential of society more efficiently than wasteful competitive efforts
4 The state - collective action via the state ensures a fairer distribution of goods and services than free market forces

Question 5

What are the arguments in favour of common humanity

Answer 5

1 cooperative effort - humans are naturally inclined to work together for the common good because cooperative effort
A produces best results for society
B enables people to form connections based on respect, understanding, and mutual support
C is superior to capitalist competition which sets one person against another and undermines our common humanity
2 moral motivation - humans can be driven by a desire to contribute to the betterment of society

Question 6

Give an example of collectivism

Answer 6

1The cooperative movement began in Britain in 1844 with the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers
2 Cooperatives are voluntary associations designed to provide economic assistance for their members.
3 Owned and run by workers who benefit from shared earnings or cheap goods secured through the cooperative

Question 7

Describe how 2 different strands of socialism vary in their commitment to collectivism

Answer 7

1 Marxists - advocate collective action based on the principle of each according to ability, to each according to need
2 revisionist socialists - accept some degree of free market capitalism and pursue co,,ectivism in a more limited way

Question 8

The socialist idea of equality is based on 2 key principles what are they

Answer 8

1 social equality of out come - the equal distribution of economic rewards such as income and wealth
2 egalitarianism - designed to remove or reduce inequalities and ensure everyone has a fair chance

Question 9

Outline the arguements in favour of equality

Answer 9

1 ensures fairness - economic inequality is due to structural inequalities in capitalist society rather than innate difference of ability among people
2 reinforces collectivism cooperation and solidarity - humans are more likely to co exist harmoniously and work together for the common economic good if they share the same social and economic conditions
3 satisfies basic human needs - the more equal distribution of wealth and resources via the redistributive state , will promote human fulfilment and realise human potential

Question 10

What do revolutionary socialists say about equality

Answer 10

They demand absolute equality the abolition of private property and replacement with common ownership of all means of production

Question 11

What do social democrats say about equality

Answer 11

Want relative equalising of society within a reformed capitalist economy via welfare measures, government spending and progressive taxation to remove absolute poverty
Emphasis is is placed on equality of opportunity

Question 12

What do socialists believe about common ownership of means of production

Answer 12

1 that it ensures all can participate and benefit
2 wealth is created by common effort so it should be owned collectively
3 private property encourages materialism and false belief that personal wealth will bring fulfilment
4 it generates social conflict between those who have and those who have not

Question 13

What is the nature of equality of outcome who is it rejected and supported by

Answer 13

Peoples experiences of society should be more or less the same . Associated with social equality and economic equality
Supported by fundamentalist socialists who reject capitalism
Rejected by social democrats and the third way as artificial social and economic levelling

Question 14

What is the nature of absolute equality who is it rejected and supported by

Answer 14

Everyone who contributes to society will receive the same rewards.
Supported by Marxists who support communism
Rejected by social democrats and the third way as impractical and potentially destabilising

Question 15

What is the nature of equality of opportunity who is it rejected and supported by

Answer 15

Everyone has an equal chance at making the best of their abilities with no artificial barriers to progress for those who work hard have ability and talent
Supported by the third way
Rejected by Marxists who believe it does not remove capitalism
Also rejected by social democrats who support greater social equality

Question 16

What is the nature of universal welfare who rejects and supports it

Answer 16

Human society is unequal but all individuals have an equal minimum standard of living guaranteed by the state welfare provision
Supported by social democrats as it protects the more vulnerable
Rejected by Marxists as it does not remove capitalism
Rejected by this way who support targeted welfare

Question 17

What do socialists believe about social class

Answer 17

That members of a social class share similar outlooks and aims - and are the principle agents for change

Question 18

What is socialism

Answer 18

An ideology committed to representing the interests and improve conditions for the working class

Question 19

What are the 2 ways socialists use=se the term workers control

Answer 19

1 the complete or part ownership of an enterprise by employees - including decision making powers
2 control of the state by the workers

Question 20

What is the social democrats view on class

Answer 20

1 they define social class more flexibly emphasising income and status difference between non manual and manual occupation groups
2 socialist objectives can be achieved through targeted government intervention to narrow class distinctions
3 state provides welfare and redistribution schemes to reduce class inequalities

Question 21

What is the Marxist view on class

Answer 21

1 a persons class is economically determined by their relationship to the means of production
2 conflict is inevitable between the owners of productive wealth(capitalists) and those who sell labour to survive (working class)
3 believe the capitalists use political and legal systems to maintain dominance
4 eventually class conflict leads to a revolution resulting in a classless equal society and state withers away

Question 22

What are the socialist justifications for workers control

Answer 22

1 human nature - promotes collective effort and group interest. It tackles workplace alienation and challenges the capitalis view that the work force is a commodity in the production process
2 economy - workers are the most important element in economic production so they should have the right to control means of production and replace capitalist control of the economy
3 society - it is an important step towards socialist society moderate workers control enables the introduction of limited social and economic reforms

Question 23

Why is it that in recent decades the connection between socialist ideology and working class politics has weakened - what is the consequence of this

Answer 23

1 deindustrialisation has reduced the size of the working class and weakened trade union movement
2 the rise of post industrial services and information economy and expanding middle class
Consequently - moderate social political parties have adapted their programmes to appeal to non manual workers

Question 24

What are the criticisms to workers control

Answer 24

1 businesses don’t just rely on workers they depend on people who are prepared to take risks and invest money
2 workers may not have entrepreneurial qualities required to make the business thrive
3 manual workers may lack the appropriate managerial expertise for certain functions eg promotions, appointments and dismissals,

Question 25

Give 2 examples of revolutionary socialism and describe their view s

Answer 25

Marxism and blanquism reject use of democratic methods to achieve a socialist society and instead overthrow existing political structure s

Question 26

Why was the revolutionary road to socialism popular in the 19th century

Answer 26

1 early industrialisation and capitalism brought poverty, exploitation and unemployment
2 workers were largely excluded from political participation and had little ability to influence policies

Question 27

What were the justifications for these revolutions

Answer 27

1 the state is an instrument of class oppression which upholds capitalist interests
2 gradual change will not lead to a social society because ruling class values are entrenched in society
3 a total transformation of society is needed as the ruling class will not give up its powers without a fight
4 attempts to reform capitalist society would undermine the principles of socialism as capitalism is based on inequality and exploitation

Question 28

After 1945 why did national liberation movements in Africa - Vietnam Congo, Asia-Maos Chinese communists and South America - Castro’s insurgents try to adopt revolutionary socialism

Answer 28

1 to remove colonial powers and take down outdated social and economic systems
2 to bring about rapid modernisation to enable these societies to catch up with more prosperous and technologically advanced industrial countries

Question 29

How have these revolutions usually resulted in

Answer 29

1 fundamentalists claiming to be based on socialist principles but the key issue is that these states replaced private property with state ownership not common ownership
2 without common ownership further stages of Marxism occurred and the regimes used communist to justify brutal suppression of the opposition

Question 30

What brought about the end of Marxism

Answer 30

The collapse of the USSR in 1980s

Question 31

Who was Louis Augusta Blanqui and what did he call for

Answer 31

A french radical socialist he called for
1 a rapid siezure of power by a small secret elite group of armed socialist conspirators and not a mass organisation
2 a temporary dictatorship formed by this group to place industry and business under state control
3 a socialist programme imposed on the population by force if necessary
4 state assured equal conditions for workers who would be organised into industrial or agricultural associations

Question 32

What is social democracy

Answer 32

A revolutionists form of democracy and attempts to reconcile free market capitalism with state intervention

Question 33

What are the 4 assumptions made by social democracy

Answer 33

1 that capitalism is a dependable created of wealth but distributes the wealth unfairly
2 state intervention in economic and social affairs protects the public and remedies capitalisms weaknesses
3 peaceful constitutional methods should be used to bring about social change
4 socialism is morally superior to capitalism and should focus on social justice

Question 34

Describe the evolution of socialism

Answer 34

1 In late 19th century some socialists concluded Marxism was flawed. Edvard Bernsteins study argued capitalism wasn’t developing along Marxist lines. The capitalist system was resilient and effected by economic crisis or promoting class conflict
2 Bernstein concluded capitalism was not brutally exploitive, could be reformed peacefully through electoral policies. He called for state ownership of key industries, legal safeguards and welfare measures to protect workers
3 In the 20th century western socialist parties recognised the productivity of the market economy and pursued a revisionist policy of reforming capitalism

Question 35

What were the 3 key elements adopted by social democracy and championed by Anthony Crosland

Answer 35

1 a mixed economy with only strategic industries nationalised
2 Keynesian economics to regulate the capitalist economy and maintain full employment
3 reform not removal of capitalism using welfare state to redistribute wealth and tackle social inequality and poverty

Question 36

Describe the decline of social democracy

Answer 36

After 1945 social democracy was trying to balance economic efficiency and egalitarianism -
Tension was hidden by post war booms when there was economic growth, high employment and low inflation which gave rising living standards and tax revenues to expand welfare state
2 ecconomic down turn 1970’s - 1980’s exposed the tension. Unemployment rose and demand for welfare increased . Social democrats faced a dilemma reduce inflation and tax’s to stimulate economy or prioritise welfare funding
3 the shift to service based economy in 80’s-90’s and shrinking of working class due to deindustrialisation reduced social democracy’s electoral base. The sollapse of the USSR discredited forms of socialism that looked to the state to deliver economic and social reform

Question 37

What is the third way

Answer 37

1 Neo revisionism
2 They are a middle ground alternative to social democracy and free market neo liberalism in a modern global economy
3they advocate market, community, consensus and competition
4 first introduced in the UK by Labour Party or new labour under Tony Blair in the 1990s

Question 38

What are the 5 key elements of the third way

Answer 38

1 stresses market over state and rejects top down intervention -
2 values community and moral responsibility
3 supports social model based on consensus and harmony
4 promotes social inclusion
5 advocates a market state

Question 39

What are the arguements against third way

Answer 39

1 it lacks real socialist content
2 non revisionism was a labour rebranding exercise to attract middle class voters and business interests

Question 40

What are the arguements for third way

Answer 40

1 ideas have influenced various left of centre parties
2 under new labour neo revisionism introduced important measures that promoted social justice and improved the position of the most disadvantaged in society

Question 41

Outline the main ideas of Beatrice Webb 1858-1943

Answer 41

1 establishing socialism peacefully by passing democratic reforms gradually through existing parliamentary institutions
2 expansion of the state rather than its over throw will deliver socialism

Question 42

Outline the main ideas of ANTHONY Crosland 1918-1977

Answer 42

The state must manage capitalism to deliver greater social equality and provide a fairer distribution of rewards status and privileges and remove class barriers

Question 43

Outline the main ideas of Anthony Gidden 1938-

Answer 43

1 rejection of state intervention
2 social democracy needs to be modernised due to impact of globalisation, knowledge of economy and more individual aspirations
3 he rejects economic and social engineering that underpin the state welfare system and redistribution programmes of previous social democratic governments

Question 44

To what extent do socialists agree about human nature

Answer 44

Agree
1 the different branches of socialism broadly agree on human nature
2 most socialists think set believe individuals possess a common humanity and gravitate towards cooperation and sociability
3 socialists believe human nature is malleable and is moulded for good and bad by social circumstances. Socialists argue capitalism has had a negative effect on human nature as it grows selfish greedy behaviour
4 socialists do not believe all humans have identical abilities and needs

Disagree
1 there are no big disagreements between the diffentend branches on human nature
2 web is the least optimistic key thinker arguing working class lacked intellect to take control of industry and needed the guidance of intellectually superior middle class
3 different branches disagree about effects of capitalism Marx argued capitalism corrupts human nature and only a revolution and a communist society can restore a positive state of human nature
4 Crosland argued capitalism was not so bad that equality of opportunity and reform of society and economy would lead to greater cooperation

Question 45

Debate To what extent do socialists agree about the state

Answer 45

Agree
1 different branches broadly agree on the state
2 all agree that an unreformed state helps capitalism to exploit and that this can not continue as it drives economic, political and social change
3 all agree that the state is a committe of the ruling classes that reinforces capitalism Marx said the state was corrupt and only a revolution would create the perfect communist society
4 all evolutionary sociologists agree the state can remodel without a revolution and promote equality cooperation and community

Disagree
1 there is no disagreement between the branches
2 there is disagreement on the future of the state - revolutionaries wish to remove the state whilst evolutionary socialists want to reform the state
3 Marx argued after the revolution the state will die and a stateless communist society will grow
4 evolutionary socialists disagree how the state should reform society
Democratic argue it should be reformed by parliamentary democracy and bring the economy under common ownership
Crosland argued the state should pay a role in managing the economy by Keynesian economics
Webb saw a positive role for private enterprise and believed in a mixed economy

Question 46

To what extent do socialists agree about society

Answer 46

Agree
1 the different branches broadly agree
2 society should be based on equality as this ensures economic fairness reinforces collectivism and satisfies everyone’s basic human needs
3 socialists agree that society must respond to negative effects of capitalism and be remodelled
4 all socialists argue society affects the individual and that the working conditions and unequal distribution of wealth can have harmful effects on human nature
5 all socialists believe society can be remodelled to embrace greater equality co operation and socia justice

Disagree
1 no noticeable disagreements
2 revolutionary socialists and evolutionary disagree if state can reform capitalism
3 revolutionists argue capitalist society is to exploitive to be reformed Marx argues state uses religion patriotism and parliamentary democracy to weaken class consciousness and only a revolution can create a perfect society.
4 evolutionary socialists disagree
Webb argued evolutions are chaotic and society can be gradually reformed through parliamentary government
Crosland thought webs vision limited individual freedom He focussed more on reforming capitalism so society could share the benefits of economic growth and argued for equal opportunity eg comprehensive education
Giddens argued for more focus on equality of opportunity concentrating on social investment and infastructure

Question 47

Debate - to what extent do socialists agree about the economy

Answer 47

Agree
1 different branches broadly agree
2 all forms of socialism are critical of the negative effects of capitalism
3 all forms of socialism are critical of the wasteful competition in capitalism and emphasise the need for cooperation
4 all forms are committed to an economy that creates a fairer society
5 all forms see equality of opportunity in society

Disagree
1 no noticeable disagreements on how the economy should be organised
2 revolutionary socialists think capitalism is beyond refor
3 Marx thinks only mature economies can experience a revolution
4 socialists disagree on the role of the state in organising the economy=y
Revolutionary’s think the state will die away
Evolutionary disagree on how to manage the economy Webb favours nationalisation Crosland a mixed economy