Socialism Flashcards
Socialism on Society ?
- Individuals decide own destiny
- To improve they need to see flaws
- Social class is an inequality
- Equality of Outcome
- Lower class means less opportunity
Socialism on State ?
- Strong state brings equality
- State will eventually not be needed
- Reject Monarchy, Aristocracy, Theocracy
- State should empower
- Redistribute wealth
Socialism on Economy ?
- Common ownership
- Capitalism threatens fraternity
- Redistribute wealth
- Reject Laissez Faire
- Rich pay more tax
- More public spending
- Equal pay, Minimum wage, Maternity leave
Socialism on Human Nature ?
- Optimistic
- Generous
- Seek solidarity in community
- True nature diluted by capitalism
- Malleable nature
- Aim is to reach full potential
What are the different types of Socialism ?
Fundamentalist & Revisionist
Fundamentalist Socialism ?
Seeks to replace capitalism completely with the eventual conversion from state to no state where everyone works together to provide and take what they need and no more
Revolutionist Socialism ?
Change comes through revolution against the state
Evolutionist Socialism ?
Change comes through democratic change over time not revolution
Karl Marx & Frederich Engels (R) ?
- Capitalism has corrupted human nature and leads to exploitation of proletariat
- Proletariat will become class conscious and rise up to challenge bourgeoisie
- Socialism will be established as as it becomes stronger the state will wither away naturally
- When Capitalism becomes unsustainable it should be overthrown with violence
- New state rules in interest of all until we are capable to take charge
Rosa Luxemburg (R) ?
- Capitalism promotes exploitation
- Only Revolution can bring change
- Revolution can be spontaneous doesn’t need an elite
- Rejected idea that revolution would lead to dictatorship of proletariat
- New society would be created immediately with common ownership
- Oppose nationalism
- Global revolt
Beatrice Webb (E) ?
- Capitalism bad
- Paternalism isn’t sustainable
- INEVITABLY OF GRADUALISM
- Elected governments bring change gradually
- Proletariat will become class conscious and inevitably vote for change
- Welfare state
What did Early Democratic Socialism believe ?
Change in terms of getting rid of capitalism should come through democracy as the proletariat can use vote for a new party in their best interests
What did later Democratic Socialism believe ?
Early dem doesn’t run as smoothly and so the getting rid of capitalism through democracy does need more radicalisation
What is Euro-Communism ?
Aim to take the state from private to public ownership without revolution through the influence of Gramsci (Italian
Comm Party)
What is Neo-Marxism ?
Realises evolutionary approach have failed and a return to Marx may be best - Ralph Miliband says dem approach has been watered down
Revisionist Socialism ?
Realises that it is more achievable for capitalism and the state to work alongside socialism and prefer a democratic route to revolutionary
Classical Revisionist Socialism ?
If socialist government gets elected then a capitalist economy will work and can improve workers’ conditions. After the proletariat gets the vote, a socialist government is more likely and revolution is not needed.
Social Democracy Revisionist Socialism ?
Equality can be achieved through managed capitalism and the use of a ‘mixed economy’, the welfare state had gone too far and focus needs to be shifted to different areas like public spending
Anthony Crosland ?
- Public ownership has gone too far
- Equality achieved through managed capitalist economy
- Welfare state and public spending have reduced inequality
- Socialism required ‘mixed economy’ with some state owned services
- Focus should shift to different areas to ensure equality like Education and grammar schools
- Governments need to be cautious of influence from other countries
Third Way Revisionist Socialism ?
Also known as Neo-Revisionism where revolution is outdated as capitalism is everywhere, like it or not. New system is outdated where welfare system is restructured to give ‘hand up’ not ‘hand out’
Anthony Giddens ?
- Capitalism CAN be corrosive
- Need fraternity
- Redistribution of wealth
- Private ownership and free markets are ok
- Individualism can be fine
- Inequality will happen
