Socialism #2

Question 1

What historical context led to the emergence of socialism?

Answer 1

Socialism emerged in response to growing class divisions and economic inequalities in the 19th century due to industrialisation.

Question 2

Who were early socialists that critiqued the exploitation of the working class?

Answer 2

Marx and Engels.

Question 3

What did early socialists propose regarding wealth and production?

Answer 3

They proposed to redistribute wealth and have workers control the means of production.

Question 4

What is the historical materialist view of society as outlined in ‘The Communist Manifesto’?

Answer 4

Society goes through stages of economic development, ultimately progressing from capitalism to communism via a working-class revolution.

Question 5

According to Marx, what is inherent to capitalism?

Answer 5

Class oppression of the proletariat by the bourgeoisie.

Question 6

What is the ultimate goal of revolutionary socialism as per Marx and Engels?

Answer 6

To achieve a classless and stateless society known as communism.

Question 7

True or False: Communism and socialism are used interchangeably.

Answer 7

True.

Question 8

What does the principle of collectivism emphasize?

Answer 8

Collective action is of greater moral and practical value to society.

Question 9

What is the socialist view on equality?

Answer 9

Economic inequality is fundamentally unfair and undermines collectivism and cooperation.

Question 10

What is the stance of revolutionary socialists on capitalism?

Answer 10

They see capitalism as fundamentally flawed and inherently exploitative.

Question 11

How did Lenin and the Bolsheviks modify Marxist theory?

Answer 11

They emphasized the role of a small vanguard of committed communists to lead the revolution in Russia.

Question 12

What was the result of the Bolshevik revolution in 1917?

Answer 12

Establishment of a socialist state aiming to progress to communism.

Question 13

What did Stalin’s First Five Year Plan aim to achieve?

Answer 13

Full scale industrialization and collectivism of agriculture.

Question 14

What distinct form of revolutionary socialism did Rosa Luxemburg develop?

Answer 14

A grassroots approach emphasizing mass strikes.

Question 15

Fill in the blank: Evolutionary socialism supported gradual _______ processes to achieve socialist goals.

Answer 15

democratic.

Question 16

Who believed in the ‘inevitability of gradualness’ in achieving socialism?

Answer 16

Beatrice Webb.

Question 17

What did social democracy emerge as in the mid 20th century?

Answer 17

A distinct socialist thought adapting to post-war Europe.

Question 18

What reforms did social democracy advocate for?

Answer 18

Capitalism reform to create a more equal society, such as progressive taxation and an extensive welfare state.

Question 19

What economic approach did Crosland articulate in ‘The Future of Socialism’?

Answer 19

Keynesianism allowing for government intervention to manage capitalism.

Question 20

What was a key feature of social democracy in practice during the 1960s?

Answer 20

Use of Keynesian economics to stimulate growth and manage unemployment.

Question 21

What critique did some socialists have against social democracy?

Answer 21

They saw it as failing to address inherent class exploitations and inequality.

Question 22

What is the Third Way in socialist thought?

Answer 22

A middle way between laissez-faire and social democracy, accepting capitalism but promoting equality of opportunity.

Question 23

What did Giddens argue was necessary to address new societal challenges?

Answer 23

Reimagining social democracy to balance individual autonomy with the role of the state.

Question 24

What does collectivism emphasize morally?

Answer 24

The needs and well-being of the community should take precedence over self-interest.

Question 25

How do revolutionary socialists view capitalism's effect on human nature?

Answer 25

They see it as distorting human nature and suppressing positive tendencies.

Question 26

What do social democrats believe about human nature?

Answer 26

They acknowledge the positive nature of humans but advocate for reforming capitalism rather than abolishing it.

Question 27

What is the driving principle of socialism regarding equality?

Answer 27

Economic inequality is fundamentally unfair and should be addressed by the state.

Question 28

What is the revolutionary socialist view on achieving absolute equality?

Answer 28

It requires the eradication of all forms of class distinctions through revolutionary means.

Question 29

What do social democrats advocate regarding equality?

Answer 29

Equality of opportunity and some equality of outcome within a reformed capitalist framework.

Question 30

What is the Marxist principle regarding distribution?

Answer 30

For each according to his ability, to each according to his need.

Question 31

What do social democrats advocate regarding equality?

Answer 31

Equality of opportunity and some equality of outcome.

Question 32

How do social democrats view capitalism?

Answer 32

They seek to humanise capitalism rather than abolish it.

Question 33

What role does the state play according to social democrats?

Answer 33

To foster a more equitable society through intervention.

Question 34

What was the top rate of income tax during Wilson's Labour government in the 1970s?

Answer 34

83%.

Question 35

What is the Third Way's stance on equality of outcome?

Answer 35

They reject equality of outcome and support equality of opportunity.

Question 36

What was Tony Blair's top rate of income tax?

Answer 36

40%.

Question 37

What was Tony Blair's educational priority?

Answer 37

Education, education, education.

Question 38

How do socialists define social class?

Answer 38

By relations to means of production.

Question 39

What is the central conflict in socialist theory?

Answer 39

Class conflict between the bourgeoisie and proletariat.

Question 40

What do socialists aim to achieve through class struggle?

Answer 40

A classless society via collective ownership.

Question 41

What does Marx say about the proletariat?

Answer 41

The proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains.

Question 42

What is a key belief of revolutionary socialists?

Answer 42

Capitalism is an exploitation of the proletariat by the bourgeoisie.

Question 43

What does the term 'false consciousness' refer to?

Answer 43

Misleading ideology that obscures the reality of class exploitation.

Question 44

What did Engels believe was necessary for the proletariat?

Answer 44

To abolish private property in general.

Question 45

What is the 'inevitability of gradualness' according to Webb?

Answer 45

Socialism will emerge through democratic means over time.

Question 46

What economic model do social democrats support?

Answer 46

A mixed economy with both capitalism and state control.

Question 47

What is a significant aspect of the Third Way's economic policy?

Answer 47

Support for free market principles.

Question 48

What did Blair's government introduce to support working families?

Answer 48

Working Families Tax Credit in 1999.

Question 49

What do revolutionary socialists believe about the state?

Answer 49

It must be overthrown to achieve genuine equality.

Question 50

What is the view of the Third Way regarding trade unions?

Answer 50

They see them as potentially stifling economic flexibility.

Question 51

What do socialists believe is the root cause of systemic problems like poverty?

Answer 51

Exploitation from capitalism.

Question 52

What is a common agreement among socialists about society?

Answer 52

Society should be restructured to pursue equality.

Question 53

What do socialists disagree on regarding the economy?

Answer 53

Whether capitalism should be eradicated, managed, or accepted.

Question 54

What do socialists agree about human nature?

Answer 54

Humans are inherently cooperative, sociable, and rational.

Question 55

Fill in the blank: Socialists argue that class conflict drives societal _______.

Answer 55

change.

Question 56

True or False: The Third Way rejects the idea of individual empowerment.

Answer 56

False.

Question 57

What is the ultimate goal of revolutionary socialists?

Answer 57

To establish a classless society.

Question 58

What do social democrats believe about the role of the state?

Answer 58

It should intervene to promote equality and tackle capitalism's failures.

Question 59

What does Giddens argue about new social inequalities?

Answer 59

They are not strictly based on class but include gender, age, and ethnicity.

Question 60

What is a key tenet of the Third Way regarding economic growth?

Answer 60

Limited interference in the market.