Socialism Flashcards
Key beliefs of socialism?
Community Common ownership Class politics Equality Social justice
Describe Utopianism?
A critical term
Implies an ideology is not based on rationality or scientific proofs but on hopes and aspirations alone.
Unrealistic- cannot be achieved nor sustained
What 3 things do all socialists agree on about equality?
1) we are all born with equal rights
2) reject a natural order of society- accepts potential of the individual to take any place in society they aspire to
3) equality of opportunity
How were the first recognisable socialists described?
As utopian
Why were the first socialists described as utopian?
1- they lacked scientific rigour
2- impractical and eccentric
3- based on an optimistic view of human kind
What caused the desire of utopians?
To return for a simpler form of production
A reaction to the problems caused by industrialisation and mass production
Examples of utopian socialists
Robert Owen (1771-1854)
William Morris (1834-96)
George Cadbury - Bournville
Charles Fourier- French Social theorist
What was Charles Fouriers’s aspiration?
Small self supporting communities based on primitive form of labour rather than mass production
Why was Charles Fourier a utopian?
It was an unlikely goal to roll back the progress of industrialisation and urbanisation
What caused Robert Owen to have the ideas he did?
Understood that mass production was here to stay, also understood the extent that workers could be exploited
What were Robert Owen’s ideas?
Provided his workers with housing, education for their children, health care provision and cheap subsidised goods
How did Robert Owen describe himself?
As a benevolent capitalist
What was a success of Robert Owen?
He was instrumental in the co-operative movement-
Distributed profits to members
Still survives today
Why was Robert Owen utopian?
Capitalism is out for profit
Paying for these things takes cuts out of profit
Relies on more “benevolent socialists”
What did utopian socialists have in common?
Had a common desire to hold back the progress of capitalism and industrialisation.
Why was utopian socialism not a successful as other forms of socialism?
Other forms of socialism accepted that economic progress (capitalism) was inevitable and would have to be accommodated. - monitored and regulated
When were labour founded?
1900
What were the original aims of labour?
To get a working class representative in parliament Not looking for revolution- overthrow monarch/ capitalism Suspicious of class war
What did Blair say about class?
“The class struggle is over”
Etymology of socialism?
Latin sociare (to share)
What battle did labour have in the 1950’s?
The direction to take the party- to a more social democratic position over a democratic socialist
Labour in the 1960’s?
A movement away from class based politics to a consensus and cross class appeal
What caused the changes to labour in the 50’s and 60’s?
Emboigoisement
Class dealignment
Emerging middle class
Less partisan and more rational
Blair is not a socialist
Free market economics “because it works” Education- PFI
Private enterprise- filthy rich
Blair is a socialist
Social justice
Workers rights- minimum wage- tax credits
Education and NHS spending
The Labour Party has always been a pragmatic party
Y
