Socialism Flashcards
Who are the 5 key thinkers and what are their ideas?
Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels (the centrality of social class, historic materialism, dialectic change and alienation and exploitation)
Rosa Luxemburg (rejection of evolutionary socialism and revisionism, the struggle will raise class consciousness)
Beatrice Webb (the inevitability of gradualism and the necessity of the state for achieving socialism)
Anthony Crosland (managed capitalism can deliver social justice through a mixed economy, full employment and universal social benefits)
Anthony Giddens (acceptance of the free market, equality of opportunity not equality, communitarianism, social investment and infrastructure, neo-revisionism influenced Blair)
What is collectivism and what are the 3 aspects of it?
Collective human effort is of greater practical value to the economy than individualism
Individuals who work together, rather than against each other, can harness the energies of the community, collectivism where certain people do certain tasks, leads to a greater output overall, eg. in an army
The incentive to work hard is motivated by a desire to contribute to the common good, believes human nature is altruistic, positive view, believe individuals want to help society
While modern social democrats wouldn’t even contemplate removing material incentives they would insist on the need to balance self-striving with a sense of community, eg. working hard to pay tax to fund a welfare state for the poor
What is cooperation in collectivism?
Socialists prefer cooperation to competition. Both working towards the same goal means they can have the same amount without competing. Collectivism utilises the capabilities of the whole of society efficiently, avoiding the wastefulness and limited impact of competitive individual effort
Collectivism: What are the economies of scale?
The greater the quantity of a good produced, the lower the per-unit cost because these costs are shared over a larger number of goods, eg. Costco. This means that rather than individual companies competing for products bulk buying/ producing can reduce costs
NHS + drug purchasing- US prices of top 20 drugs (by NHS spend) are 4.4x higher than the UK, US drug companies are willing to sell at a discount to NHS because they purchase so many drugs, NHS means we can bulk buy drugs so they’re cheaper, healthcare’s cheaper for us, collective benefit
In 1844 textile workers in Rochdale created a society to sell goods and food to workers. It was to be owned by its members, not shareholders. Profit was shared out. It became the basis of the cooperation movement in the UK.
What is the collective human effort is of greater practical value to the economy than individualism and moral arguments for collectivism (as opposed to individualism)?
If an individual asks for a pay rise their employer can simply refuse, or sack the worker if they keep asking. It’s in the interest of the employee to keep wages low. If ALL of the workers ask for a wage then the employers will have to listen- idea of COLLECTIVE BARGAINING. Collective action is more efficient than individual action. Eg. trade union negotiations, they find a middle ground, created by Beatrice Webb
-Cooperation creates bonds of sympathy between individuals, it’s essential for individual wellbeing
-Wealth creation is a collective effort and ought to be shared equally so it’s fair
-In contrast individuals competition promotes selfishness and aggression, individuals who pursue selfish goals can never achieve happiness
What is a fundamentalist view on Marx and surplus value and revisionism on Anthony Crosland and the role of the state with collectivism?
Individuals who are paid a wage are never fully compensated for their work/labour. Part of their working life is used to make profit for their bosses- surplus value. This is theft- John Locke and property. This is an inevitable part of the capitalist economic system. Collectivism gives wealth back to the wealth creators and reduces the income equality gap
The state gets their authority from the people (legitimacy), can use this for collectivism
-The state can reflect the will of the national collective
-Motivated by economic and moral imperatives the state can provide a ‘cradle to grave’ welfare state, funded by progressive taxation
-The state can ‘manage’ the economy through Keynesian economic principles- booms and busts of capitalism
-Motivated by a moral cause rather than a particular commitment to an economic model, altruism
In common humanity, what are humans with a tendency for?
Humans are social creatures with a tendency for sociability, co-operation and rationality
They prefer to live in social groups rather than alone and their natural relationship is cooperation, not competition (that’s wasteful as you should work together if you all have the same goal) which feeds off the belief that humans work together towards the common good so they’re naturally inclined to work together and cooperative effort produces the best results for society , they also form connections based on understanding, respect and mutual support as well as channeling the capabilities of the whole group or community, rather than just the potential of a single individual
If people are struggling it’s society’s fault, as Germany has free university fees
Competition under capitalism creates social division and generates conflict and hostility so it’s wasteful, by setting people against each other it encourages a disregard for common humanity rather than accepting it, as well as being self centred
To what degree do socialists agree on collectivism and why?
To a sizeable extent because revisionists and fundamentalists agree on cooperation, eg. surplus value and authority from the state.
There’s disagreement with neo-revisionists like Giddens
How is human behaviour determined?
It’s determined socially as it’s malleable, in nature vs. nurture they favour nurture and believe individuals are moulded by the society they’re in, this is where they learn all their skills from such as language, you become what you know so a socialist society means humans will be cooperative
Why can the individual not be understood without reference to society?
There’s no individual separate from society- atomism is absurd and only results from a selfish greedy society
People are reliant on each other
Progressive taxation means as you earn more you put more back into society so it’s redistributing wealth
Socialists are utopian, believing the possibility of a future society that leads to genuine emancipation and fulfilment- based on a community willing to work for others, not just themselves, education becomes key for changing society
What does Marx say about false class consciousness?
People are fundamentally cooperative but there’s a lot of selfishness because of capitalism. The bourgeoisie (middle class) use a system of creating competition in the marketplace, in education and media. Religion is the biggest form of cultural control as we believe what we’ve been told. People who are exploited are unaware of this and internalise the lessons from capitalism by believing inequality is fair and competition is inevitable
False class consciousness is the belief that someone else is worse off so you feel like you’re in the best place so you stay where you are, society is gaslighting you with religion, there’s social control, you accept capitalism as there’s hope the afterlife will be better
What is hegemony and fraternity?
Hegemony denotes dominance, Antonia Gramsci (an Italian Marxist) argued that the bourgeoisie maintained its leadership in capitalist systems by using wealth to establish a dominant idealogy through the culture and once it becomes cultural hegemony the need to use violence or expensive means of coercion becomes vastly reduced. Contemporary artists (particularly from the Left) suggest that the New Right is an idealogy carefully manufactured by neo-liberal intellectuals
Fraternity is brotherhood
-Bonds of sympathy and solidarity between and among human beings
-Humans are tied to one another as comrades, brothers etc.
-Human beings are social creatures who can overcome social and economic problems by drawing on the power of community
-Differences due to religion, nationality and ethnic background are far less significant than what unites us
What did Luxemburg say about the struggle?
She was a fundamentalist
The struggle against capitalism needs to be democratic, raise working class awareness and radical (come from the people down below)
Top down revolutions are full of the ‘sterile spirit of the overseer’- wealthy are in charge of revolution so there’s little change as they want to keep control, can’t rely on upper classes to create change as the existing system already benefits them so revolution must start from the working classes. She suggested democratic workers councils where decisions were taken at the lowest possible level and were democratic which is very different from Soviet communism and there’s a struggle to create full consciousness
What did Richard Tawney think?
Christian/ evolutionary socialist. He said socialism is in Christianity, eg. helping the poor ALL humans share a common humanity- a view derived from a belief in the fatherhood of God. ‘Men are of equal worth because of their common condition (brotherhood) as sons of God’
To what extent do fundamentalists agree with common humanity?
Fundamentalists agree with common humanity (Marx and Engels, Luxemburg)
Revisionists also agree because of Keynesianism- tax redistributes wealth, believe in fraternity (Crosland, Webb)
The Third Way (neorevisionists) don’t agree as much because they believe in the free market- limiting individual ambition means reduced competition (Giddens)
They agree to a sizable extent because fundamentalists and revisionists agree but the Third Way is less commited- still uphold individual rights `
What kinds of equality do socialists agree with?
Foundational equality (fraternity), formal equality (by law) and equality of opportunity as well as opportunity of outcome such as extra time or typing in exams
Why are formal equality and equality of opportunity not possible in an unfair economic system?
Formal equality isn’t possible because justice is more accessible to the rich, eg. better lawyers even though in theory it’s for everyone, varying degrees of access to it. Those with the most wealth benefit from formal equality
Equality of opportunity isn’t possible because without a commitment to equality of economic resources and wealth, meritocracy is impossible and a tool used by the rich to secure their position
We all have access to healthcare and education but they can also be private which gives better treatment and opportunities
What is Britain’s meritocracy in 2019?
Social mobility is undesirable and cruel. We can’t be more meritocratic without being more egalitarian. Not focusing on equality means there’s justifying advantages of rich and legitimising pains of poor. Rewards go to those with talent who’ve earned them, meritocracy seen as motivation. Mobility is greater in a more equal society where there’s less space to climb and less obsession with private schools
Loss aversion- pleasure from moving up is greater than the pain of moving down (stigmatises poor) as chances differ according to class and background
It entrenches class differences- poor seen as lazy as you can work your way up but they have a hard time getting there whereas the rich do everything they can to stay at the top as Luxemburg said ‘The bourgeoisie will wade through a sea of blood to defend their own interest)
Egalitarianism challenges poverty, hierarchy and modest reform as concepts, they want to create equality but difficult due to gaps
-39% of Britain’s elite was privately educated, more than 5x as many as the population at large
-65% of senior judges were privately educated
What are socialist arguments in favour of equality?
Equality ensures fairness- all entitled to equal chances to make the best of our abilities which leads to the development of the human race, fair for individual, just for society
Social equality reinforces collectivism- equality increases cooperation and community, if everyone’s equal they’re likely to strive for common goals, equal outcomes increase social solidarity
Social equality is a means of satisfying basic human needs- world is common to all humankind, sharing its resources out equally provides everyone with a good quality of life- necessary for freedom
What is egalitarianism?
A theory or practice designed to promote equality
Socialists don’t believe human talents are evenly distributed, but it doesn’t give people more value. The most fundamental forms of inequality are a result of unequal treatment. A just society would address at least some of these inequalities
What are socialists’ disagreements over equality?
Equality of outcome- people’s experiences of society should be more or less the same, associated with social and economic equality, rewards should be based on an individual’s contribution which will vary from person to person so there’ll be some inequality but differences in rewards won’t be marked as in the free market system. Fundamentalists support this as a way of removing the free market’s influence and rejecting capitalism but social democrats and the Third Way oppose this as a form of artificial social and economic levelling
Equality of opportunity- everyone should have an equal chance to make the best of their abilities. There should be a ‘level playing field’ with no artificial barriers to progress for those with ability, talent, and a positive attitude to hard work. This approach is supported by the Third Way on meritocratic grounds but rejected by Marxists because it doesn’t seek to remove capitalism and its structural inequalities, also rejected by social democrats who support greater social justice/equality
Absolute equality- Everyone will receive the same rewards, providing they make a contribution to society. Over time, each person will make a broadly equal contribution. This approach is supported by Marxists as the basis of a communist society but rejected by social democrats and the Third Way as impractical and potentially destabilising
Equality of welfare- Human society is inevitably unequal but also maintains that every individual is entitled to have an equal minimum standard of living guaranteed by state welfare provision. It’s endorsed by social democrats and the Third Way because it provides a safety net for the most vulnerable in society. It’s rejected by Marxists because this welfare provision doesn’t seek to remove capitalism and its structural inequalities, also rejected by the Third Way as they support targeted welfare
What is Marxist equality?
Like Luxemburg, believed that a revolution which would overthrow capitalism was necessary. As class differences create conflict, after the revolution conflict will end. The resulting communist society would be characterised by no state, common ownership and absolute equality. Common ownership means fulfilling individuals’ rights. Absolute equality means everyone has exactly the same so people will be fulfilled and experience true freedom
What is revisionism’s view on the state?
Abandoned absolute equality as they accept inequality as an incentive for hard work. They attempt to reduce class inequality
Crosland argued that equality was not as important as other key aims, such as an end to poverty, poor health provision and a lack of education. He thought this possible through harnessing the wealth of capitalism rather than by destroying it. The state could be a tool for social redistribution, Keynesianism promised economic growth and more employment
What is neo-revisionism’s view on the rejection of equality?
Focus more on equality of opportunity, reject absolute equality and equality of outcome as they have a desire to tackle ‘social exclusion’- suffering from crime, poverty, poor living standards etc.
However, individuals were expected to be responsible- there’s an overlap between individualism and collectivism. Collectivism can only work if individuals take responsibility for themselves and their communities. Irresponsibility means inequality is just and fair
To what extent do socialists agree on equality?
To a moderate extent as fundamentalists believe in absolute equality, revisionists and Third Way reject it
What is the importance of class for fundamental socialists and other strands?
For Marx and Engels, it’s the most important factor in society (‘motor of history’ and ‘existing society is the history of class struggle’)
Class tension forms economic base of society, from that base comes the superstructure- culture which justifies that tension
Eg. liberalism, property rights, free markets, meritocracy, schooling etc. is just a culture created by a system that keeps it in place by capitalism
‘Once class divisions have been removed there’ll be no need for social change’
A capitalist economy fundamentally steals the wealth from the workers and paid them a pitiful wage as compensation, it’s an economic system that’s unequal and exploitative
Social democrats have been motivated by the narrowing of division between the working and middle class (class harmony)
Class is a fundamental division that prevents the creation of a fulfilling society
Many socialists are concerned about the suffering of the working class and are motivated to improve their lives, socialism is an expression of working class interests
What is the declining importance of class for the neo-revisionists?
Link between class and socialism has declined significantly (2019 GE)
Less class awareness and solidarity as a result of less traditional working class
Giddens- by late 20th century, social democracy had to be modernised due to the impact of globalisation, increase of new knowledge economy and growth of more individualistic aspirations
‘We’re all middle class now’ -John Prescott, Labour Deputy leader 1997
What do socialists think about class and human nature and class and society?
Human nature- It’s defined by your social influences, has a huge influence on who you are, focuses on working class solidarity and compassion for fellow humans
Traditional working class communities should have similar living conditions, working lives and socialising, further reduction of working class communities so now less strong
Society- fundamental differences between a class based society and a non-class based society
Socialists wish to remove class differences to produce a fairer society
What do socialists think about class and the economy and class and the state?
Economy- fundamentalist socialists believe the capitalist economy will always, by its nature, exploit the proletariat
Revisionist socialists believe that the economy can be managed for the good of everyone, not just the upper classes
Neo-revisionists believe that everyone, irrespective of class, deserves an opportunity to succeed in a free market economy
State- Marxists don’t believe that the capitalist state can aid the working classes
Revisionists believe that the state can be transferred to work in the interests of the majority (Bernstein, Webb)
The solution is mass participation in politics, democracy to naturally promote a welfare state, transform exploiting working class through progressive taxation etc,. NHS, free education after working class got the right to vote
To what extent do socialists agree on class?
To a small extent as there are disagreements between fundamentalists and the other 2 strands over capitalism being exploitative
What is workers’ control?
The complete or partial ownership of an enterprise (eg. a business) by those employed there. It can also be used in a wider sense to mean workers’ control of the state
What is communism?
Criticise private property because:
-Private property is unjust. Wealth is produced by a collective effort and therefore should be owned by the community rather than wealthy individuals
-Creates consumerism and greed, morally corrupting. It creates materialism, which believes falsely, that happiness comes through the purchasing of commodities
-It’s divisive and creates conflict, eg. between proletariat and bourgeoisie
Fundamentalist socialists believed in the abolition of private property creation of a classless society. Property, especially means of production, would be owned collectively and used to benefit society
When Lenin and the Bolsheviks took over Russia in 1917 they believed that socialism could be built through nationalisation
‘Common ownership’ leads to ‘state ownership’ = state socialism
What is alienation caused by capitalism?
4 types of alienation:
-from the product (people are responsible for a small part of the production process- work to make profit for capitalist owner, cog in a system)
-from the process
-from others
-from the self
labour- competitive, no input into design etc., often can’t afford to consume what they make
others- alienated from each other, competitive but wages, houses etc., no cooperation/ common good
self- creativity is essential to human nature, we live to work, can’t control our own lives so lose a sense of ourselves, alienated
What do Beatrice and Sidney Webb think?
They were ensembles of Fabian Society
Beatrice Webb founded the notion of collective bargaining- idea that workers can work independently- heavily influenced over Trade Unionism
What is common ownership?
Trade unionism- workers are the engine of productivity, by uniting they can achieve more than individually. Radical trade unionism (syndicalism) has supported ownership of the means of production
Nationalisation- industry is owned by the nation and not private individuals, industry could work for the people, not just profit-Keynesianism
Welfare states- supported by revisionist socialists in the postwar process. Beveridge Report and 5 giants. Common ownership of the NHS and education system create opportunity for all
Cooperatives- 2 types- membership model or workers model, eg. Coop vs. John Lewis
What was Clause IV of the Labour Party?
To secure for the workers by hand or by brain the full fruits of their industry and the most equitable distribution thereof that may be possible upon the basis of the common ownership
(scrapped by New Labour)- Third Way
What are the Social Democrats?
Like fundamentalist socialists, social democrats have favoured the use of the state, through which the economy can be planned. However, in the west nationalisation has never been total and state intervention owes more to Keynes than Marx. There was a commitment to a mixed economy between 1945 and 1994.
Eg. the Attlee gov. of 1945 sought to nationalise the ‘commanding heights of the economy’- such as cool, steel, electricity and gas. This made up around 20% of the UK’s economy. Through these industries the government hoped to regulate the economy for the greater good.
