SOCIALISM

Question 1

CHANGE - (p)

Answer 1

One feature of socialism is change especially in class conflict

Question 2

CHANGE - (EX)

Answer 2

Socialists would strongly disagree with the concept of one’s social class dictating their opportunities in life, It views the working class as being the people who can force political and social change and that there should be no social class.

Question 3

CHANGE - (THEORY)

Answer 3

Karl Marx argued that society was in a constant state of conflict between the classes. He argued that those at the bottom (workers) would eventually realise they were being exploited and revolt

Question 4

CHANGE - (E)

Answer 4

For example this was put into place after the violent acts of the Russian Revolution in 1917 where they overthrew their monarchy to eradicate class conflict.

Question 5

CHANGE - (A)

Answer 5

This is highly opposite of the conservative view on hierarchy as they believe that people have an obligation to respect the hierarchy.

Question 6

HUMAN NATURE - (P)

Answer 6

A second feature of Socialism is human nature

Question 7

HUMAN NATURE - (EX)

Answer 7

Socialists have a far more positive or optimistic view of human nature than conservatives. They believe that human nature is able to be modified or improved in the correct conditions.

Question 8

HUMAN NATURE - (E)

Answer 8

For Example Socialists would believe that key causes of crime are poverty, social exclusion or lack of education rather than a person just being flawed

Question 9

HUMAN NATURE - (A)

Answer 9

Therefore they would support rehabilitation of criminals rather than harsh punishments. On the other hand conservatives believe in harsh punishments and that humans are imperfect.

Question 10

OWNERSHIP - (P)

Answer 10

Another feature of socialism is common ownership

Question 11

OWNERSHIP - (EX)

Answer 11

Socialists believe that wealth is not produced by individuals. Socialists view owning private property as creating the conditions for human inequality, that it promotes social division & selfishness. They see private ownership as an injustice and unfair; workers work hard to make the CEO/owner wealthy yet have little themselves

Question 12

OWNERSHIP - (E)

Answer 12

Many council houses built after WWII were sold off – leaving a shortage of public housing. Socialists would argue this was very negative; especially for the poorest people in the country.

Question 13

OWNERSHIP - (A)

Answer 13

The socialist views on property are more left-wing than conservatism as they believe property should be owned individually rather than collectively. Socialists would argue that all housing is public property and this being sold only creates competition and greed, further fuelling class conflict.

Question 14

EQUALITY - (P)

Answer 14

A final feature of socialism is Equality

Question 15

EQUALITY - (EX)

Answer 15

Equality is a central pillar of socialism. Accordingly, they are less concerned with the equality of opportunity and more concerned about the equality of outcome – true equality. Equality is meaningless unless it involves equal access to resources. Socialists believe that the government must ensure everyone receives the same quality of outcome i.e. quality of education.

Question 16

EQUALITY - (THEORY)

Answer 16

Karl Marx said ‘from each according to his ability, to each according to his need’ - This means that those with the most should contribute the most while those who need the most should receive the most help.

Question 17

EQUALITY - (A)

Answer 17

This is a polar opposite of what the conservatives believe, they believe that traditions should be kept and that tradition strengthens social integration through a common identity.