socialism

Question 1

the origins of socialism?

Answer 1

This is an ideology that grew out of the enlightenment and takes an optimistic view of HN. It is a progressive ideology and shares a desire to liberate humans from oppression. They also believe in “foundation equality”- the belief that men and women are born equal. They reject both the traditional state and anarchism. Socialists argued for humans to have less autonomy in their daily lives.

Question 2

how do socialists view human nature?

Answer 2

They have an upbeat and optimistic view of human nature, they believe that humans are naturally cooperative and generous. They believe that humans naturally seek comradeship. They take an optimistic view of how humans could be, as they don’t believe that Hn has been diluted. Socialists believe that human nature can be adjusted.

Question 3

how do socialists view society?

Answer 3

Socialists believe that individuals are a product of the society that they were born into. They see society as an independent construct that was formed by impersonal forces. Marx and Engels thought that these forces were economic with the “means of porduction”. Socialists are sceptics that humans can be the master of their own destiny. Socialists believe that were there is improvement for humans there is also improvement for society. Socialists argue that an individuals status is shaped by the social class that they were born into. Marx and Engels, along with people like Crosland noted that these classes can be unequal.
Socialists believe in the equality of outcome in society, they want to narrow the gap between the rich and poor, they believe that just aiding the poor will not seek equality.

Question 4

how do socialists view the economy?

Answer 4

Socialists believe that private property and capitalism can be problematic, which is why common ownership is preferred. Free-market capitalism causes inequality within society. Socialists seek to change this by providing greater worker control in employment and redistribution of wealth.
This will involve the rejection of laissez faire capitalism
They will also demand greater collectivism.

Question 5

what are the forms that economic collectivism can take?

Answer 5

progressive taxation
progressive public spending- state benefits to the elderly
Extensive public services- such as NHS
Extensive state regulation of capitalism- a minimum wage and equal pay legislation
state/common ownership- this was displayed by the original Clause 4 of the Labour Party, which was supported by people such as Beatrice Webb, this was evidence of their belief in common ownership

these are a way to promote the fraternal beliefs of socialism,

Question 6

what did Marx and Engels argue was the value of a collectivist society?

Answer 6

This will be more stable and provide the needs of people, they believe that capitalism and market forces are inherently volatile and unpredictable.

Question 7

how do socialists view the state?

Answer 7

Socialists believe in a strong state, which makes them different from anarchism. They believe that without a strong state it will be impossible to bring about a fair society.
Marxists believe that the state would eventually wither away, and Marx would call this “the end of history”
Though, all socialists believe that in the short term a strong state is essential
Socialism rejects the monarchial state and the aristocratic state
Socialists believe in a state where the political and economic power of a state has been redistributed. And where decision making reflects “the people”
Socialists also believe that the state must be an extensive one

Question 8

what do fundamental socialists believe?

Answer 8

they all believe that capitalism and some stage must be abolished, though how it should be abolished differs

Question 9

classical marxism

Answer 9

This is the writing of Karl Marx, Marx and Engels believe that capitalism must be abolished and then communism could be established
The oppression of one class against another is against socialism.
They believed that history was a series of stages, they believe that history was a bunch of economic stages that can be termed historical materialism.
They believed that capitalism was historically doomed as there would always be one class that would be economically dominant.
Their philosophy was also shaped by their belief in revolution ,they believed that it was necessary to “smash” capitalism by violent force
They believed that countries such as the USA and UK were servants of economic policy that encouraged capitalism
the pair believed that a new state and economy could be achieved by revolution

Question 10

marxism- leninism

Answer 10

Lenin disputed Marx that revolution could occur only in countries where capitalism and the working class were well developed. Luxembourg agreed with Lenin, this was seen as small countries would have to endure many more years of oppressive rule.
Lenin believe that revolution should help to cause a socialist state, Luxembourg party agreed with the ideas of Lenin, but only as far as under-developed societies.
She was concerned that the ideas of Lenin could make revolutionary socialism irrelevant

Question 11

key thinkers Marx and Engels

Answer 11

they were the first socialist thinkers to offer fulsome analysis of how humans were social and economic beings, they argued that human nature had been contaminated by capitalism, which encouraged greed. They believed that capitalism had installed a “false consciousness” in society
They explained the centrality of the social class- they argued that capitalism created the working class and middle class. They argued that these class differences were not harmonious and involved harsh inequalities of wealth- they also believed that capitalist societies were unstable.
They rejected the view that capitalism creates prosperity
They did not believe that the state was politically neutral, they argued that the state would always serve the interests of whoever was in charge.
they would explain that revolution was not just inevitable but essential, in the wake of revolution a new state would arise. Though, their argument did give head to the USSR and the china of Mao.

Question 12

what was democratic centralism?

Answer 12

this is where there would be one party and within that one party there would be open discussion- Luxembourg disagreed with such a concept

Question 13

Key thinker- Luxembourg

Answer 13

she sought to develop the idea of Marx, she agreed with Marx that capitalism promoted exploitation and was at odds with humanities natural, fraternal instincts, she also agreed that only through revolution could real change be made, though how this should take place would be different.
She rejected the claim of Lenin that revolution can only occur by planning and leadership of the elite. Rather, she believed that a revolution could occur “spontaneously” after class consciousness had been brought about by working class growing battle for progress. Mass strike action would develop, would overthrow the capitalist state
She did agree with internationalism, which is the internationally united working class.
she did not believe in war
conventional marxists and lenses were appalled by L’s belief that the KPD should contest elections to the post-war German constituent; went against evolutionary socialism.

Question 14

is marxism redundant?

Answer 14

YES:
recent history has marked the end of communism
collapse of USSR
failure of marxist principles in countries
capitalism has not imploded as Marx forecast, its reach has become wider
in advance capitalist states the working class have not risen to revolution.
NO:
capitalism remains unstable and volatile
capitalism does continue to ignite poverty
there has been a “disappointing” record of socialist governments in capitalist states

Question 15

what is democratic socialism?

Answer 15

emerged during late 19th century, developed with people such as Corbyn

Question 16

Early democratic socialism

Answer 16

This is seen with Beatrice Webb and was furthered by the original clause 4 of the Labour Party
Though she did reject “big bang” evolutionary change, she argued that revolutions were chaotic
Webb believed that capitalism was volatile and that there needs to be look forward towards a more planned society
they believed that the extension of the suffrage would help to ignite a post-capitalist society
They believed that a democratically elected socialists governments would help to steadily transform society

Question 17

“the inevitability of gradualism”

Answer 17

the socialist parties would campaign peacefully and would win the trust of the electorate and elect socialist governments.
change from private- state ownership

Question 18

key thinker Beatrice Webb

Answer 18

she had 4 key principles:
capitalism was the principle cause of crippling poverty
neither paternalism nor philanthropy was a way to deal with the matter
trade unionism and state intervention would be a way to irradiate poverty
effective reform tends to be gradual rather than revolutionary
involved in drafting Clause 4
served on a royal commission that examined the states approach to poverty. Her views help to create the welfare state.

Question 19

later democratic socialism

Answer 19

the UK’s post-war Labour government is seen as evidence democratic socialism
The government of Attlee, introduction of welfare state and state ownership of key industries.
Though the failings of the 1970s some saw as the inevitable punishment awaiting any socialist government

Question 20

How did Benn argue that fundamentalist socialism can be pursued peacefully?

Answer 20

He argued that key adjustments would need to be made
restoration of parliamentary sovreignity and the withdrawal from the EEC.
Parliamentary reform such as the abolition of the House of Lords.
Greater support from trade unions

Question 21

what is the significance of Euro-communism?

Answer 21

this is the belief that capitalism can be gradually de-comissioned via parliamentary methods and evolutionary socialism
Groups such as the French Communist Party rejected the marxist-lenin case for revolution
They believed that the existing “liberal-bourgeois” state could accommodate meaningful socialist change
they rejected the dictatorship of the working class

Question 22

must socialism involve the abolition of private property and capitalism

Answer 22

YES- according to fundamental socialists
the core value of socialism is equality which private property does not generate
also goes against the key values of fraternity and cooperation
marx, engels and Luxemburg believed that private propert led to the exploitation and oppression of working people.
Beatrice Webb believed that public ownership was more rational than private ownership

Question 23

must socialism involve the abolition of private property and capitalism

Answer 23

No- according to revisionist socialists
the debate of public/private ownership concerns the means and not the end of socialism
some did note that working class conditions had improved under capitalism
Crosland believed that increased public spending, not ownership was the key to more socialism

Question 24

the significance of social democracy?

Answer 24

The change in the term from the hostility of capitalism and even a belief in revolution came after the war
Crosland argued for Keynesian economics- where the state had sought to “manage” market forces
Crosland believed that with Keynesian economics capitalism was no longer vulnerable, argued that socialism wasnt just “common ownership”

Question 25

Key thinker- Anthony Crosland

Answer 25

He contested that public or common ownership had gone far enough, he argued that public ownership had never been the aim of socialism, He rather believed that the true aim was equality cropland asserted that capitalism had been changed due to Keynes, this is the belief in state-managed capitalism . He argued that societies could enjoy economic growth and full employment without requiting any serious extension of public ownership. He argued that with economic change society would become less binary socialism required a mixed economy, private enterprise and private ownership. The task of socialist government was not more public spending but better public services He campaigned for comprehensive education, he believed that this would help to break down class division

Question 26

the significance of the third way?

Answer 26

This is the most recent form of revisionist socialism and is associated with Blair and Brown Giddens is associated with being the main author behind this form of socialism, he had a desire to "triangulate" social democracies wish for more equality and with a capitalist economy that was less focussed of Keyensian economics. Giddens encouraged modern people of the left to encourage further privatisation and further deregulation. He argued that this was the best way to increase economic growth. Giddens believed that greater equality of opportunity would be achieved by less equality of outcome. The revisions of the Labour Party was seen when Blair changed the Clause 4 of the Labour Party whilst the critics say that the third way was simply an extension of conservatism, it is important to note that under the New Labour governments the tax burden grew far more than it ever had done There was also an emphasis on cultural and political equality- reflecting the cosmopolitan society of the time- this was seen with the civil partnerships for gay couples.

Question 27

key thinker Anthony Giddens

Answer 27

he stressed that capitalism and individualism were irreversible and that any project towards greater equality would have to take this into account. He argued that the survival of social democracy required recognition that free-market capitalism had an unmatched capacity to empower individuals economically. He also argued that capitalism functioned best when there was a strong sense of social cohesion Giddens believed that the post-fordist capitalism of the late 20th century involved the decline of heavy industry and had fragmented communities and "atomised" the modern workforce and left individuals feeling alienated. Ironically, the "individualisation" that Giddens believed in, resulted in individuals being more connected. he believed that the state would have to be more proactive He believed that Keynesian economics was more obsolete and socialism needed a more free-market brand of capitalism.

Question 28

how does socialism require revolutionary change?

Answer 28

according to some fundemantalist socialists: marx believed that revolution was historically inevitable Luxembourg believed that revolution would inevitably and "spontaneously" develop from trade union agitation Mao and his cultural revolution

Question 29

how doesn't socialism require revolutionary change?

Answer 29

other fundamental socialists: webb believed in the "inevitability of gradualism" euro-communists believed that the capitalist state would eventually wither away revisionist socialists: Crosland and Giddens believe that with the advent of the welfare state, the existing political system could ensure steady increases in public spending and steady progress towards a fairer society. Giddens believed that the current structures of the state could be reformed.

Question 30

how do the key thinkers view human nature?

Answer 30

Marx and Engels- HN has been contaminated by capitalism, the way to repair this is by revolution Luxemborg- HN has not been damaged to the extent that Marx alleged. Fraternity flourishes in wc communities that have been harmed by capitalism webb- the damage inflicted by capitalism will only be gradually guided back to a cooperative condition Crosland-HN has a powerful sense of "fairness" and an objection to the huge inequalities of outcome Giddens- human nature has been shaped by changing socio-economic conditions, there is a sharpened sense of individual aspiration

Question 31

how do the key thinkers view the state?

Answer 31

Marx and Engels- the existing liberal-bourgeoise state is a tool of the dominant class Luxemborg- the existing capitalist state must be destroyed by revolution, one that arises from strike action. webb- if harnessed to universal suffrage, the existing state could be used to effect a gradual transition to socialism Crosland- democratic socialist governments from that the state can be used to to effect radical change Giddens- the existing liberal state should be improved, decentralising political power while encouraging greater participation.

Question 32

how do key thinkers view society?

Answer 32

Marx and Engels- a capitalist society is defined by class interests and conflicts, a communist society will be the perfect "end of history" Luxemburg- capitalist society is class ridden and morally indefensible, yet subcultures do exist webb- poverty and inequalities of a capitalist society continue to depress human potential while fostering regressive competition. Crosland- society is increasingly complicated, altered by the emergence of new social groups Giddens- society has undergone embourgeoisement, egalitarians must harness rather than deny these forces

Question 33

how do the key thinkers view the economy?

Answer 33

Marx and Engels- capitalism is corrupt and will be replaced by an economy that is based on collective ownership Luxumberg- capitalism is more resilient than Marx allowed, its necessary destruction and should be replaced by an economy that is based on workers control webb- a chaotic capitalist economy is replaced by one which secures workers with the fruits of their labour, common ownership and means of production Crosland- a mixed economy that is underpinned by limited public ownership and Keynesian economics- secure equality Giddens- a Neo-liberal economy which has privatisation and de-regulation which will provide tax yields, finance increase in public spending.

Question 34

what are the key tensions within socialism?

Answer 34

HN- all socialists believe that human nature can be improved. Marx believes that HN is susceptible to whatever economic condition. Though, Giddens believes that human nature can prosper under capitalism Society- all socialists believe that society is a key determinant of our personalities. There is disagreement about whether socialism can be improved gradually and whether they believe in revolution or not. The state- socialists believe that the state is vital to the promotion of key socialist values, they differ about what state is needed. marx believes that the capitalist state should be destroyed, Webb/Giddens believe that the existing state can be used. The economy- Marx, Luxemborg and Webb believe that socialism is incompatible with the capitalist economics, Giddens believed that capitalism could exist with a socialist society with privatisation.