Socialism Flashcards
What was the origins of the enlightenment
The enlightenment
What is the overall view of human nature
Positive
Liberals believe in equality of opportunity, what is it that socialists believe in
Equality of outcome
Who were the levellers
All about levelling the playing field
Argued god has given the land to ALL of mankind and yet some had used this as greed and acquired the land for themselves
What did the so called utopian socialists Charles Fourier and Robert Owen do
Created independent communities based on communal ownership and production and equal distribution of resources and a culture of tolerance and permissiveness
What major event in history where socialist ideas began to be taken seriously
The industrial revolution
Name four socialist fundamental principles
1) equality of outcome is more important than individual liberty
2) state must provide welfare so that all can prosper
3) state should own means of production
4) comradeship- strong collective organisations eg trade unions
What is comradeship
Looking out for your brother
Describe socialist view of human nature
- optimistic
- individuals are naturally cooperative, generous and altruistic
- comradeship
- human nature is something malleable rather than permanently
- fixed they are optimistic about how it could be in the future
What for socialists was the major consequence of the industrial revolution
The emergence of distinct classes
What is the socialist view on society
- argue that an individuals status, priorities and prospects are all shaped by the social class he or she is born into
- egalitarian doctrine= equality of society and equal society
Give an example of equality of outcome
affirmative action
What is the main priority of socialism
What will be the consequence of not achieving this
- to narrow the gap between rich and poor
Consequence:
Society will continue to lack fraternity, cooperation and solidarity and instead will foster greed, envy, resentment and division
What do socialists believe in as opposed to common ownership
Private property and capitalism
How do socialists see the economy
- One that provides greater workers control in employment and
- Politics of Robin Hood “taking from the rich and giving to the poor”
Principles:
- rejection of laissez faire capitalism
- greater collectivism
What is collectivism
State control
Common ownership
-progressive taxation- richer classes contribute more
- progressive public spending
-extensive state regulation of capitalism to prevent exploitation
Explain socialist views on the state
- strong state vital to create a fairer and more equal society
- decision making reflects equality and empowerment of the people
What does Marx argue about the state
The state will eventually wither away
This will lead to the end of history
What are the two broad categories of socialism
Fundamentalist socialism
Revisionist socialism
What do fundamentalist socialists believe in
Completely Against private ownership and capitalism
What is a revisionist socialist
Socialism can be achieved alongside private property and is compatible and can co-exist with capitalism
where do some fundamental socialists vary in views
some argue for revolutionary change destroying the capitalist economy and the state which supports it
others would gradually take down the structures of capitalism via evolutionary change within the confines of the existing state
what was the name of the first type of socialism to provide a detailed plan for the future
classical Marxism
what did karl marx argue capitalism promoted
exploitation
alienation
oppression
for marx and engels what was the final destination for society
what was the name for this process
the end of history
historical maternalism
briefly explain historical maternalism
1) primitive societies
2) slave based societies
3) emergence of capitalism
4) emergence of proletariat and class consciousness
5) destruction of capitalism
6) socialism
7) communism
8) end of history
for what reason was capitalism historically doomed
class consciousness and the belief in revolution
revolution would create a new state, ‘the dictatorship of the proletariat’ what would this obliterate
all traces of liberal capitalist values
this would pave the way for a stateless communist society based on common ownership
define proletariat
the collective term for the working class
when was the russian revolution
1917
who was the de facto leader of the new russian socialist state
Lenin
what did both lenin and luxemburg disagree about in regard to marxism
the idea that less developed countries would have to face centuries of oppressive capitalist rule before the conditions were right for the revolution
to lead the revolution lenin stressed the importance of the ‘revolutionary elite’ who would perform what four vital tasks:
1) overthrow the existing regime
2) organise the revolution
3) educate the masses
4) form a new organisation
What theory did stalin reject
Permanent revolution (developed by Trotsky)
What was permanent revolution
Where revolution spreads country to country
When was the Chinese revolution
1949
What happened in China
Revolution
Culture revolution
Campaign of persecution against any aspect of traditional Chinese culture
Name two countries that created communist parties in the 1950s
Cuba
North Korea
What major Labour Party document did Webb influence
Clause IV
What was Webb’s view on revolution
Chaotic, inefficient and counterproductive
Very against revolution
What is the inevitability of gradualism
Democratic socialists would campaign peacefully and win voters trust
Working class realise capitalism doesn’t serve them
Socialist govt elected
Private ownership becomes state ownership
DemSoc govt continually elected
Socialist society
Reverse unlikely
What did the demSoc govt of Attlee in 1945 install
Welfare state
Transfer of several industries- private to public ownership
What is euro-communism
In the 70s, communism spread to Europe
They maintained distance from Soviet Union
Wanted change but gradually
Contested in elections
What was the Frankfurt school
Home to philosophers Marcuse and Horkheimer
They were not optimistic that revolution would ever occur
What did neo-Marxists believe
Thatcapitalism cannot be gradually reformed out of existence but when ever the next capitalism slump occurred- socialists should advocate for revolution
What do revisionist socialists believe
Marx’s view is incompatible with capitalism
What did Edward Bernstein think
Claimed capitalist economies could provide even greater improvement to the lives jf workers
Along this socialist govt could make laws which curb the inequalities Of the capitalist society- eliminating the need for revolution.
Which labour government is the third way associated with
Blair and brown
What did Crosland argue about the economy
Reformed capitalism could guarantee full employment and steady economic growth
What did giddens encourage in regard to the economy
Further privatisation and de regulation - this was best way to boost economic growth and so boost govt spending which would achieve greater equality
New labour rise taxes which allowed a greater public spending, what’s the statistic?
39% to 47% in 2010
Is socialism still present today
Very much so
As long as capitalism has its problems socialism shall always exist
Far left leader of labour (Jeremy Corbin)
Presidential candidate (Bernie sanders)
