Socialism Flashcards
1
Q
What is an ideology?
A
A system of ideals and ideas, especially on which forms the basis of an economic or political theory and policy
Ultimately a belief, whether Political, Economical, or Philosophical which forms the basis of action
2
Q
What are the core beliefs of socialism?
A
Equality
Collectivism
Class politics
Common humanity
Workers’ control
3
Q
What is the essence of socialism?
A
- The most distinctive feature is its opposition to capitalism, informed by a desire for social justice
- Capitalism is defined as an economic system based on individualism, competition and inequality
- ## Socialism seeks to promote a more humane alternative by a society founded on collectivism, co-operation and social equality
4
Q
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using revolutions to obtain social change?
A
Advantages:
- Brings about quick changes that may not happen under conventional practices
- Has the support of the majority (in theory)
- Complete change
Disadvantages:
- Causes destruction
- Can worsen problems
- Power vacuum
- Undemocratic
- Historically unreliable and unstable
5
Q
What is the link between the Industrial Revolution and the emergence of revolutionary socialism?
A
- Shift away from an agricultural society meant that there were more people working in poor conditions
- Early industrialisation and capitalism bought poverty and exploitation. Workers had to endure these conditions, but in doing so were bought together in large numbers that had not been seen before
- Early socialists like Marx theorised this would give people the opportunity to unionise, organise and eventually overthrow the system
6
Q
Why was revolutionary socialism the first form of socialism to emerge?
A
- Low franchise meant that people couldn’t vote people and governments out, so revolted as this was the only way to change it
- Capitalism was deemed ‘unreformable’ by early socialists like Marx
7
Q
What is usually the result of revolutionary socialism?
A
- Extremely violent
- Often leads to dictatorship
- Often unsuccessful in achieving socialism
- Often leads to dictatorships who govern in the name only of socialism
- Very little change to wealth disparity
8
Q
Karl Marx - ‘The oppressed are allowed once every few years to decide which particular representatives of the oppressing class are to represent and repress them’
A
- Criticism of democracy - representatives are from the oppressing class, so serve the interests of the ruling class, and maintain oppression
- Political freedom is an illusion - real change requires transformation of the system
9
Q
Karl Marx - ‘Man makes religion, religion does not make man’, ‘that vale of tears of which religion is the halo’
A
- Religion is a product of human thought and society, a reflection of the world, comes into being because humans haven’t yet realised their true potential
- Religion exists to provide comfort, and acts as a comforting illusion that makes suffering bearable
10
Q
What are the key principles of Marxism?
A
Historical materialism
Dialectical change
Class consciousness
11
Q
What is historical materialism?
A
“The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles”
- All terrible historical events are caused by the bourgeoisies exploitation of the proletariat
12
Q
What is dialectical change?
A
- A process of change and development bought about by the conflict of 2 opposing forces
- Because Marx interpreted history in class terms, the two opposing forces for him are the exploited and the exploiters
- The change and development will be a change from one form of politics (capitalism) to another (communism) and will happen via revolution
13
Q
What is class consciousness?
A
Before a proletarian revolution can take place, the proletariat needs to:
- Realise that it is oppressed
- Form together to spearhead the revolution
14
Q
What is the difference between Marxism in theory and communism in practice?
A
- Marx theorised that the revolution would happen spontaneously, and socialism would occur automatically (because dislike of capitalism caused the revolution in the first place)
- Communists like Lenin and Trotsky (who put Marxism into practice) theorised that there was the need for a vanguard party. This had 2 purposes: to help cause the revolution by agitation, and to safeguard the revolution afterwards to ensure that socialism does happen (self-terminating dictatorship)
15
Q
How did Lenin and Trotsky put communism into practice?
A
In 1917, following the Russian Revolution
Methods in line with Marxism:
- All forms of private capitalism ended
- Minimal private ownership
- Abolished money as a means of exchange
- State centralism and production
Effectiveness:
- Economic strength fell below 1914 level
- Wasn’t effective in redistributing foods; peasants only farmed enough food for themselves
- Workers couldn’t work because they didn’t have enough to eat and were malnourished
16
Q
Who was Rosa Luxembourg?
A
Rosa Luxembourg (1871-1919) was a Polish Marxist and Revolutionary
- Her polish background may have influenced her thinking as Poland were part of the Russian Empire so she had seen the need for revolutionary change, and Poland had a history of uprising (1830)
17
Q
What were Rosa Luxembourg’s contributions to communism?
A
- Any evolutionary or revisionist socialist strategy would leave the capitalist system of economic exploitation in tact. Worker organisations would never be able to determine their wages or resolve the contradiction between social production and private wealth. Socialist parties would lose their sense of political purpose and revolutionary instincts of the working class would be dampened
- An evolutionary or reformist socialist strategy could never smooth away the exploitation inherent in the capitalist economy, because the contradictions and cries of capitalism made its collapse inevitable
18
Q
How does Luxembourg differ from Lenin?
A
- Rejects Lenin’s argument that workers had to be led by a small, rigidly centralised vanguard party in order to overthrow capitalism
- In her view, a revolutionary party that demanded blind obedience would create an ‘absolute dividing wall’ between the leaders and mass membership, preventing workers from becoming ‘free and independent directors’ of society under socialism
19
Q
Has history proven Luxembourg right/wrong?
A
- Class consciousness would emerge naturally from workers; economic hardship often radicalised workers e.g. russian revolution
- Proletariat discontent would lead to mass riots; strikes rarely lead to revolution
- Workers don’t need to be led by a vanguard party; all revolutions have had a vanguard party e.g. Russia, China, Cambodia
- Socialist parties would lose their revolutionary purpose; the Labour party abandoned revolutionary goals
20
Q
Who were the key thinkers behind the development of social democracy?
A
Edward Bernstein (1850 - 1932)
Anthony Crosland (1918 - 1977)
Richard Tawney (1880 - 1962)
21
Q
What did Edward Bernstein say that supported the development of social democracy?
A
“Where the scaffolding put limits in the way of the building, instead of destroying the scaffolding, he changed the building itself at the cost of its right proportions”
Says that Marx was unwilling to change his model and idea for communism as conditions changed, making communism in practice disproportionate and reliant on Marx’s theory as it could not account for change over time - said that Marx needed to change his theory to fit society
22
Q
What did Anthony Crosland say that supported the development of social democracy?
A
“The most characteristic features of capitalism have disappeared”
Saying that there is no longer a need for revolutionary socialism as there is no longer a need to start over, capitalism can be reformed as the most distinctive features are no longer present
23
Q
What did Richard Tawney say that supported the development of social democracy?
A
Said that Marxism ignores morals and ethics, but social democracy has social justice and introduces Christian ethics to socialism
24
Q
What are the key features of social democracy?
A
- Belief in gradualism - if you create a party for the working class, because they make up the largest part of society, this party will constantly be in power and can gradually bring about change
- Realisation that capitalism could be reformed with sufficient state intervention (adoption of Keynesian economics)
- Social justice should underpin change
25
Social democracy in practice: 1945 Attlee Government
5 giants and solutions
Want - widespread poverty and lack of basic necessities that affected large sections of the population; solution was establishment of a comprehensive welfare state
Ignorance - lack of access to education and poor educational standards; solution was free secondary education, and compulsory education until age 15
Disease - lack of access to healthcare and widespread poor health; solution was the NHS
Squalor - inadequate housing conditions; solution was a programme of public housing construction which provided working class families affordable rent
Idleness - high levels of unemployment and a lack of work opportunities; solution was state intervention to achieve full employment
26
What problems did social democracy face?
As the 2nd half of the 20th century progressed, social democracy witnessed a crisis, culminating in the 1978/79 winter of discontent which saw Thatcher in and saw Labour out of power for 18 years. They were only able to return in 1997 under New Labour
27
Which factors provided a problem for social democracy?
- Increasing number of strikes
- Thatcher's appeal to the upwardly mobile working class
- Rising inflation
- Stagnation and collapse of the USSR
- Increasing unemployment
28
What are the key principles of 3rd Way (Neo-Revisionism)?
Primacy of the market over the state
Value of community and moral responsibility
Social model based on consensus and harmony
Social inclusion
Competition or market state
29
Key-principle of 3rd Way: primacy of the market over the state
- Rejects a 'top down' state intervention, accepts globalisation and the 'knowledge economy' where competition policy is ensured
- Dynamic market economy, focused on wealth creation
30
Key-principle of 3rd Way: value of community and moral responsibility
- Distances itself from Neo-liberal economics
- Communitarian liberalism emphasised that personal autonomy operates within a communal context based on mutual dependence and benefit
31
Key-principle of 3rd Way: social model based on consensus and harmony
Differs from traditional socialist focus on class difference and inequality
32
Key-principle of 3rd Way: social inclusion
- Shifts away from commitment to equality to endorse the concept of social inclusion
- Emphasise equality of opportunity and meritocratic social system
- Does not oppose great individual wealth, provided it help improve overall prosperity of society
- Welfare should target socially marginalised groups ('hand up not a hand out')
33
Key-principle of 3rd Way: competition or market state
- to develop workforce's skills and knowledge base
- Emphasis the importance of education for improving job prospects and boosting growth ('education, education, education')
34
What is altruism?
Selfless concern for others
35
How is common humanity seen in revolutionary socialism?
Communism and full state control:
- No capitalism; everyone is equal and has the same access to resources
- Classless society with emphasis on cooperation over competition
36
How is common humanity seen in social democracy?
Creation of the welfare state established care for the less fortunate, funded through taxation
37
How is common humanity seen in Neo-Revisionism?
3rd Way and 'education, education, education':
- Focused on equality of opportunity
- 'hand up not a hand out' approach to welfare, with a focus on promoting self-sufficiency instead of state dependence
38
What is nationalisation?
The state controlling major industries: full collectivisation
39
What is privatisation?
Industries are opened to private companies: very little collectivisation
40
What is a mixed economy?
Has aspects of privatisation and nationalisation
41
What is fraternity?
A belief in 'brotherhood' - humans are bound together by natural comradeship
42
Why do socialists believe in collectivism?
Informed by their belief in human nature, which is that human beings are essentially social creatures who have fraternal bonds
43
How is collectivism seen in revolutionary socialism?
A centralised system where the state controls all resources (seizes the means of production) and redistributes wealth and resources accordingly e.g. Stalin's 5 year plans
44
How is collectivism seen in social democracy?
- Mixed economy; combines private and state enterprise
- 1945 Labour government nationalised key industries, e.g. coal and steel, but left much of the economy in private hands
- Government intervention in the economy, but the government doesn't have full control and free market forces are still present
- Progressive taxation, council housing
- Welfare state
45
What is the 3rd Way approach to collectivism?
- Clause IV was set out as Labour's commitment to nationalisation
- Blair abandoned clauses IV to modernise the Labour Party and make it more attractive to 'middle england' - especially following Thatcher's intense regime of privatisation, he didn't want people to think he would reverse it
- He was criticised for 'abandoning Labour's socialist past' - they now had a very similar stance to the Lib Dems and the Tories
- However they dont move fully away from collectivism, they just have less emphasis
46
What are the problems with collectivism?
- Generally requires a large state, which has the potential to become dictatorial
- Doesn't encourage individual effort and diversity
47
How is workers control seen in revolutionary socialism?
Revolutionary socialists endorsed syndicalism
- Syndicates improve conditions and advocate for workers, as well as educate workers for revolutionary change
- Syndicates are also intended to reconstruct society according to socialist principles
- Syndicates replace governments by distributing power across smaller, localised syndicates, and workers are in control of the means of production
48
How is workers control seen in social democracy?
- Creation of parliamentary parties and using the existing system of parliamentary democracy to further the cause for workers once in power (gradualism)
- Encourage co-operation between unions and political parties
49
Why do socialists emphasise social class?
'The history of all hitherto society is the history of class struggles' - Marx
50
How do revolutionary socialists deal with the class problem?
- Splits society into the bourgeoisie and the proletarian. Believes that conflict and revolution is inevitable
- Once the revolution has happened they will (in theory) bring about absolute equality and there will be no more classes or conflict
51
How do social democrats deal with the class problem?
Believe that class distinctions can be narrowed (not removed altogether) by targeted state intervention in the form of welfare.They advocate class consensus rather than class conflict
52
How do Neo-revisionists deal with the class problem?
'Class war is over' - Blair
Believe that social mobility via opportunities is now so rife that it has made class conflict irrelevant
53
What are the possible reasons for less emphasis on class politics in modern socialism?
- De-industrialisation; less of a power base
- Breaking of trade union power: less of a power base
- More social mobility: more people want to become middle class, many working class are able to become middle class
- Newer concerns for progressive politicians in 21st century societies
54
What is social equality?
An acceptance that inequality exists and must be dealt with
55
Why do socialists believe in equality?
Fairness: capitalism is inherently unfair and many socialists see inequality as an inevitable by product of this system
Altruism: links with common humanity/co-operation
Need satisfaction: a belief that all human beings have the same natures, therefore will all have the same needs
56
What is equality of opportunity?
Says that everyone should have the same starting point, regardless of background and any outcome will be fair
57
What is equality of outcome?
Everyone should end up in the same or similar position, regardless of starting point
58
What is revolutionary socialists method of achieving equality? Pros/cons?
Method:
Overthrow the capitalist system through revolution, then implement centralised planning of the economy
Pros:
Complete social and economic equality as society is classless
A quick and decisive change in oppressive systems
Cons:
Revolution is violent and risks instability
Often leads to creation of a dictatorship
59
What is social democracy's method of achieving equality? Pros/cons?
Method:
- Gradual reform through democratic processes
- Aim to regulate capitalism to reduce inequality
- Progressive taxation, social welfare, workers' rights
Pros:
Avoids conflict
- Democratically legitimate as it has been voted for
- Creates sustained improvements
- Political feasible
Cons:
- May not result in complete equality
- Changes may be slow and face resistance
60
What is 3rd Way socialists method of achieving equality? Pros/cons?
Method:
- Market reforms to ensure social safety nets
- Seeks to create equal opportunities rather than full economic equality
e.g. 'education education education'
Pros:
- Pragmatic solution
- More economically flexible
- More moderate
Cons:
- May leave significant wealth inequality
- Doesn't challenge capitalism enough as it allows the persistence of corporate power
61
Why do socialists endorse collectivism?
- From a moral perspective, the interests of the group should take priority over self interest. Collective effort encourages social unity and a sense of social responsibility towards others
- In practical economic terms, collectivism utilises the capabilities of the whole of society efficiently, avoiding the wastefulness and limited impact of competitive individual efforts inherent in the capitalist economy
62
What is collectivism?
It maintains that humans can achieve their political, social and economic objectives more effectively through collective action than individual effort. It also implies that society can only be transformed through collective endeavour
63
What is co-operation?
Working collectively to achieve mutual benefits
64
Why do socialists endorse common ownership?
Private property has several important drawbacks:
- As wealth is created by the communal endeavour of humans, it should be owned collectively, not by individuals
- Private property encourages materialism and fosters the false belief that the achievement of personal wealth will bring fulfilment
- Private property generate social conflict between 'have' and 'have not' groups
65
Why have opponents of socialist ideology rejected social equality?
- It is unjust: it treats everyone the same, irrespective of their attributes, and doesn't reward people according to their skills and ability
- Lowers human ambition and initiative by removing or downgrading material incentives, leading to economic underperformance
- It restricts the liberties of the individual because it can only be implemented through extensive state intervention and control
- It stifles diversity and individuality encouraging a 'colourless' social uniformity
66
Case Study: Russian Revolution
- In mid-1917, the Russian economy collapsed under the strain of WWI. Workers' factory committees were established to supervise or replace managers, or try to maintain production. By October 1917 this involved 40% of the Russian industrial working class
- Bolsheviks issued the Decree on Workers' Control, giving additional powers to factory committees
- Lenin was worried that factory committees would not follow Bolshevik directives. By 1918, he was taking steps to curb their power. Factory committees later merged with trade unions under firm Bolshevik control
67
Case study: guild socialism in Britain
- Emerged in early 20th century and gained momentum during WWI, due to rise of left-wing shop stewards' movement, which called for workers' control in war industries
- Guild socialists advocated state ownership of industry and workers' control by delegating authority to democratically run national guilds
- The movement collapsed in 1920s, but stimulated debate in the Labour Party and trade-union movement about workers' control
68
Case Study: Syndicalism in France
- Militant trade-union movement began in France in the 1890s, heavily influenced by Georges Sorel's thinking in direct action and use of general strike to secure working-class objectives
- Once a general strike had destroyed capitalist order, syndicalists envisaged a system where each industry would be run by trade unions and political institutions; the state would be replaced by workers' control based on a federation of trade-union bodies
- Syndicalist ideas influenced the development of labour organisation in Italy, Spain and USA in the early 20th century
69
Key thinkers: Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels
Marx (1818-83). Engels (1920-95)
Revolutionary socialists
Key ideas:
- Social class is central to socialism and underpins 3 key elements of Marxism; historical materialism, dialectical change and class consciousness
- Human nature is socially determined and can only be expressed under communism
Works: The Communist Manifesto (1848), Das Capital
View humans as essentially social beings whose behaviour and potential are influenced more by nurture than water, they are capable of leading satisfying lives based on fulfilling work where the conditions for free creative production exist. Capitalism does not provide these conditions, so one cannot realise their true human potential. Marx says the solution is a communist society
70
Key thinkers: Beatrice Webb
Beatrice Webb (1858 - 1943)
Social democrat
Key ideas:
- The 'inevitability of gradualness' - establishing socialism peacefully by passing democratic reforms through existing parliamentary institutions
- The expansion of the state will deliver socialism
Rejected the Marxist theory of class struggle, endorsing the 'inevitability of gradualness' - thought the new mass age of democratic politics would inevitably lead to policies to secure the interest of the working class, and the move towards socialism could be sped up by presenting reasoned arguments and painstaking reattach to show the efficiency of socialism
Rejected direct democracy because the average voter was 'limited, selfish and uninformed'
State's ability to deliver socialism would depend heavily on highly trained specialists and administrators to organise society and the economy
71
Key thinkers: Rosa Luxembourg
Rosa Luxembourg (1871-1919)
Revolutionary socialist
Key ideas:
- Evolutionary socialism is not possible as capitalism is based on economic exploitation
- Struggle by the proletariat creates the class consciousness needed to overthrow the capitalist state
Said it was essential for the proletariat to achieve a revolutionary conquest of political power for 2 reasons:
- Any evolutionary or revisionist socialist strategy would leave the capitalist system of economic exploitation intact. Worker organisations would never be able to determine their wages or resolve the contradiction between social production and the private appropriation of wealth. Socialist parties would lose their sense of political purpose and the revolutionary instincts of the working class would be dampened
- An evolutionary or reformist socialist strategy could never smooth away the exploitation inherent in the capitalist economy, because the contradictions and crises of capitalism made its collapse inevitable
Eventually capitalism would run out of new territories and markets to exploit and the system would collapse
Proletarian discontent against state control would erupt in numerous unsuccessful and successful strikes, culminating in a spontaneous mass strike, which would radicalise the workers and bring about a socialist revolution
Rejected the idea that the workers had to be led by a vanguard party as this would create an 'absolute dividing wall' between leaders and mass membership
72
Key thinkers: Anthony Crosland
Anthony Crosland (1918-77)
Social democrat
Key ideas;
- The inherent contradictions in capitalism
- State-managed capitalism
Claimed that capitalism had radically changed and no longer resembled an economic system based on inherent contradiction, as described by Marx - it now lacked the internal tensions to drive social change or bring about revolution
Main aim of socialism was now to manage capitalism to deliver social equality and social justice
Four justifications for equality:
Economic efficiency - no clear relationship between status and rewards and the importance of their economic function
Creation of a more communitarian society - inequalities created resentments
Injustice of rewarding talents and abilities - largely due to nature and nurture, not individual responsibility
Need for social justice -
73
Key thinkers: Anthony Giddens
Anthony Giddens (1938 - )
Third Way
Key ideas:
- The 'third way'
- Rejection of state intervention
Rejection state intervention and acceptance of free market in the economy, with emphasis on equality of opportunity over equality of outcome and responsibility and community over class conflict
Role of the state in social investment in infrastructure and education not economic and social engineering
