Socialism

Question 1

Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels: Marxism (Revolutionary)
HUMAN NATURE

Answer 1

Humans are naturally fraternal and alturistic. However, it has been contaminated by capitalism, which instilled the “false conciousness” of borgeiois values. Revolutionary socialism, however, will repair this.

Question 2

Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels: Marxism (Revolutionary)
THE STATE

Answer 2

The existing liberal-bourgeois state is a tool of the dominant capitalist class; it must be destroyed by revolution. The state will temporarily be replaced by the dictatorship of the proletariat and will wither away when communism is established.

Question 3

Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels: Marxism (Revolutionary)
SOCIETY

Answer 3

Capitalism corupts society and the elite working class, creating class conflict. A communist society will have absolute equality and societal harmony ( the “end of history”)

Question 4

Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels: Marxism (Revolutionary)
THE ECONOMY

Answer 4

Capitalism is corrupt, inefficient and ultimately self-destructive. it should (and will be) replaced by an economy based on common ownership.

Question 5

Rosa Luxemburg: Leninism (Revolutionary)
HUMAN NATURE

Answer 5

Human nature has been damaged by capitalism, but not to the extent Marx alleged. Fraternity and alturism still flourish in working-class communities punished by capitalist economics. However, humans are not perfect and parliamentary democracy is needed to prevent tyranny.

Question 6

Rosa Luxemburg: Leninism (Revolutionary)
THE STATE

Answer 6

The capitalist state must be destroyed by revolution, but one arising from strike action. The replacement should be a genuine democracy with free speech and elections.

Question 7

Rosa Luxemburg: Leninism (Revolutionary)
SOCIETY

Answer 7

Capitalist society is class-ridden and morally indefensible, yet alternative societies, or sub-cultures, exist within downtrodden proletarian communities. A democratic communist society will provide absolute equality and social harmony.

Question 8

Rosa Luxemburg: Leninism (Revolutionary)
THE ECONOMY

Answer 8

The free-market economy would be gradually nationalised as the workers obtain common ownership of the means of production.

Question 9

Beatrice Webb: Democratic Socialist (Evolutionary)
HUMAN NATURE

Answer 9

Capitalism has damaged the human psyche. However, humans are intelelctually and morally imperfect, particularly the working class. Humanity, therefore, needs to be guided back, gradually, to its original, cooperative condition.

Question 10

Beatrice Webb: Democratic Socialist (Evolutionary)
THE STATE

Answer 10

The state should be used to create a socialist society. This would be achieved via universal suffrage and would be a gradual process.

Question 11

Beatrice Webb: Democratic Socialist (Evolutionary)
SOCIETY

Answer 11

The poverty and inequalities of a capitalist society continues to depress human potential while fostering regressive competition. Society under socialist state management will produce equality of outcome.

Question 12

Beatrice Webb: Democratic Socialist (Evolutionary)
THE ECONOMY

Answer 12

The free-market economy would be gradually nationalised as the workers obtain common ownership of the means of production.

Question 13

Anothony Crosland: Social Democrat (Evolutionary)
HUMAN NATURE

Answer 13

Human nature is innately fair. Inequalities of outcome and opportunity hinder collective human progress.