socialism Flashcards
5 socialist ideas
collectivism
common humanity
equality
social class
workers control
how and when did socialism emerge
in 90th century as a response to class divisions and economic inequality’s brought about by a rise in industrial capitalism
revolutionary socialists ( historical materialist view)
Marx and engles
history inevitably transitions through a number of stages of economic development
according to marx society had developed from feudalism to capitalism and will ultimately transition to communism
what did revolutionaries believe capitalism was essentially doing
class oppression of the proletariat by the bourgeoisie which created deep inequalities and suppressed true human nature
this would inevitably lead to a violent revolution
what would happen in the final stage of society (historical materialist view)
Communist society would be reached and the state would wither away as it would no longer be needed
what did rosa luxemburg believe about revolution
advocates for revolution, spontaneity of mass strikes and role of wc to start a revolution via overthrow
evolutionary socialists ( not named )
revisionists from revolutionary socialists
although believe socialism could be achieved gradually, through democratic processes and reforms rather than overthrow
what did evolutionary socialists advocate for that were democratic and what would this achieve
legal changes and use of political institutions to transition towards socialism as this would be less disruptive and stable
this would achieve equality, workers control and the abolition of social class
what was Webbs idea about evolutionary socialism
she believed in socialism through democracy “inevitably of gradualness”
wc will vote for socialist policies/parties and therefore control would be achieved without revo
what did luxemburg (marxist) believe about evolutionary socialism
that it abandoned class struggle which she considered essential for overthrowing capitalism
she said that the strategy of gradual reform would reinforce existing capitalist structures rather than dismantle them
Social democrats beliefs
believe in a mixed economy as capitalism was seen as less oppressive, reform capitalism to make it more equal through prog tax and exten welfare to protect workers rights
How did social democrats emerge
by the decline of traditional industrial industries,
they believed capitalism would no longer be understood in strictly binary terms as new classes had emerged
what type of economy do social democrats believe in and what does it do
keynesian economics which advocates for gov intervention especially in times of recession to stimulate demand and maintain full employment which is crucial to make capitalism work
it provides the framework for using fiscal or monetary policy to mitigate the boom and bust of capitalism
what did crosland believe about equality and capitalism
that capitalism has changed and absolute equality was less important than equality of opportunity
ensuring everyone had the opportunity to achieve a good standard of living
Third way beliefs
middle way between laissez faire and social democracy
driven by global changing economy, free market capitalism would promote economic growth
no longer believed in nationalisation of workers control
strong welfare and equality of opportunity through education
Giddens view of societal changes
reimagining of social democracy balancing individual autonomy and a supportive role for the state called the “radical centre approach”
equipping individuals to navigate society and which is crucial to progress society and economy
other strands argue that the third ways embrace of capitalism
undermine socialist commitments to challenge class oppression, workers control and equality
the third way fails to address the inequalities capitalism creates
how did new labour have third way policies (4)
-advocated for privatisation over nationalisation (removed from C4)
-blair’s gov refrained from heavy interference in market and moved away from keynesian
-focus on equality of opportunity and fairness through education “education x3 blair” and minimum wage
-reduced role of trade unions, shift towards individual responsibility
collectivism
collective action of individuals is of greater moral and practical value than individual effort
human nature is inherently sociable, fraternal and cooperative
cooperative bargaining
work together to collectively reach an outcome ( trade unions )
revolutionary socialists collectivism
believe in communist collectivism and the eradication of capitalism
Production collectively owned
eliminate private people
luxemburg view of collectivism
importance of mass strikes and working towards revolution via overthrow
essential mechanism to abolish class struggle
social democrats collectivism
believe in collectivism with capitalism
reform and humanise rather than abolish
state intervention to provide welfare/distribute, addressing inequalities
mixed econ and nationalisation
support for trade unionism to empower workers and balance power dynamics
Atlee lab gov collectivism
post ww2 nationalisation of key industries manages to ensure equitable access to entire population
third way collectivism
reject collectivism
state has a role empowering individuals within market economy
giddens view of collectivism
argued that focus needs to be on equipping individuals to succeed in competitive, modernised, globalised economy
this would achieve social welfare
new labour collectivism
rejected collectivism
reduced role of trade unions and shifted towards individual responsibility
common humanity ( optimistic )
humans are social creatures who want to cooperate, are social and rational
individuals cannot be understood without reference to society that surrounds them and shapes them
what does marx say about common humanity and society
“ human nature is no abstraction inherent in each single individual
it is the ensemble of social relations”
this justifies state intervention to shape society and allow it to flourish
socialists believe human nature is malleable
shaped by society, is able to be moulded
capitalism encourages competition but humans are not inherently competitive
by reconstructuring society, humans will be able to realise there true full potential
revolutionary socialists common humanity
humans are inherently cooperative but capitalism distorts this
this can then can lead to “false consciousness” where the proletariat accept capitalism despite it being against their collective interests
what did marx believe capitalism did to human nature
capitalism distorts and suppresses the natural positive tendencies of human nature of common humanity
what did luxemburg believe capitalism did to society
capitalism divided workers and communities turning them against each other for economic survival
social democrats common humanity
not abolishing capitalism instead reforming and humanise so humans can realise their potential
believe income equality, exploitation, social divisions can be mitigated through keynesian economics and extensive welfare and distribution
third way common humanity
recognise capacity for sociability and communal responsibility but group it with an emphasis on individualism allowing individuals to reach own potential in market driven economy
don’t view capitalism as problem, no overall
giddens view of common humanity
don’t agree
humans are national and could enact free will,
therefore common humanity is a choice instead they should provide people with tools for personal development rather than focus on sociability
equality all socialism
socio/economic status determined by luck not abilities or effort
thus advocating for welfare politics to level playing field
inequality leads to class conflict
revolutionary socialists equality
believe in absolute equality
though overthrow, revolution (marz)
end goal a classless stateless communist society
What does marx say about redistribution in a communist society
power distributed by need and individuals contribute based on their abilities
“to each according to his ability, to each according to his need”
Social democrats equality
beleive in equality in a capitalist system
absolute equality is impractical so they advocate for a balanced approach
gov intervention to benefit whole society
equality of opportunity - level field regardless of background, education
equality of outcome - through progressive tax
how did crosland demonstrate equality of opportunity
when he was sec of state for education he introduced comprehensive education giving people from disadvantaged backgrounds more of a chance
as well as funding for higher education
Third way equality
support equality of opp, reject equality of outcome
accept wealth creation as long as everyone has opportunities to succeed, disparities were acceptable, even desirable as they were seen as a reflection of talent and effort
reformed welfare state, safety net, education
market econ effective for generating wealth and promoting efficiency
social class
linked to owning the means of production
class conflict is the driving force of societal change ultimately revo or prolet
moral imperative, just an equality society
revolutionary socialists social class
in binary terms, bourgeoise oppress the proletariat, inherent in a capitalist system
they want to aid the wc to achieve class consciousness and overcome false consciousness- this will lead to a overthrow, revolution - inevitably communist society
Also historical materialism which is the belief that society goes thru stages of economic growth when the oppressed class overthrows system
Luxemburg view on trade unionism
it is essential in for working class to feel empowered and overcome false consciousness, which will lead to revolution
“the working class in every country only learn to fight in the course of their struggles”
social democracy view on social class
see it in less binary terms
class is central structure to society, new rise of managerial and professional classes
instead of abolition, want to focus on creating an more equitable society within capitalist framework, ensure socio/econ background does not determine opportunities/outcomes - wealth distribution
Third way social class
focus more on individual empowerment to enhance them with skill and employability
believe gender, ethnicity and age divisions are now more relevant
giddens focus more on community + shared future
workers control
transfer of control from bourgeoise to proletariat which leads to control over the state
pivotal to removing exploitation
revolutionary socialists workers control
believe in complete workers control, control of means production revolutionary process, actively overthrow and seize control, state eventually wither away and result in communism
the states structure is designed to enhance interests of bourgeoisie (capitalism)
luxemburg mass action
believes mass revolution and action will achieve worker control
spontaneity of strikes and trade unions will achieve class consciousness to be able to overthrow
democratic socialism and evolutionary socialism workers control
gradually through democratic + parliamentary means
use existing political institutions
Webb “inevitability of gradualism”
ww1 when expansion of franchise meant that majority of wc made up electorate
wc would naturally vote/election socialist policies and parties
social democrats workers control
evolutionary, not complete workers control
nationalisation of key industries, mixed econ
trade unionism + collective bargaining to empower wc
crosland balanced approach
woukd achieve social justice and equality of opportunity without an overthrow
nationalisation with a mixed econ as well as support for trade unions to empower
third way workers control
completely reject workers control evolutionary socialism not revo
individual responsibility, free market capitalism, competitive markets will efficiently meet customer needs and drive innovation
do not support nationalisation, favour privatisation
