Socialism Flashcards
Name 3 types of socialism
Revolutionary socialism- overthrowing the existing political and social structures
Social democracy- Ideological view that wishes to humanise capitalism in the interests of social justice
The Thirds Way- middle-ground to free market capitalism and socialism
List some core ideas and principles of socialism
COLLECTIVISM- humans should work together as beneficial due to moral and practical value
COMMON HUMANITY- humans are social, rational and cooperative
EQUALITY
WORKER’S CONTROL
Explain Marx and Engel’s views on human nature
Pursuit of wealth and capitalism has contaminated human nature
Capitalism created greed rather than selflessness
Humans are social
Explain Marx and Engel’s views on the state
Not politically neutral as it serves the ruling class who control the economy
State went allow for evolution socialism
State must be replaced with communist system to cement socialist values
Explain Marx and Engel’s views on society
2 classes- the bourgeoise and the proletariat cannot coexist as they have different interests
Inequality has made ending a capitalist society ‘historically inevitable’
Surplus value drives employees to detest employers
The proletariat class is bigger and therefore will overthrow
Explain Marx and Engels’ views on the economy
Capitalism is corrupt and incurable
Workers are treated little better than slaves
Common ownership
Each according to his needs
Explain Luxemburg’s views on human nature
Not as damaged as Marx believed
Even communities under capitalism such as amongst the working class are still internally fraternal and altruistic
Capitalism at odds with humanity’s natural, fraternal instincts
Explain Luxemburg’s views on the state
Capitalist state must be destroyed by revolution
Strike action
Replace with genuine democracy, a new state with common ownership
Evolutionary socialism is impossible
Explain Luxemburg’s views on society
Capitalism is class ridden and morally indefensible
Alternate societies exist within down trodden proletariat communities
Spontaneous revolution
Internationalist
Explain Luxemburg’s views on the economy
Capitalism is more resilient than Marx suggested
Revolution requires determination and solidarity
Mass worker strike action would ignite a much wider revolutionary movement
Explain Webb’s views on human nature
Human nature must be guided back to cooperation
Violent revolution only compounds damage caused by capitalism
Capitalism corrupt HN by developing greed and selfishness
Explain Webb’s views on the state
Universal suffrage could lead to socialism
state intervention and trade unions are likely to eliminate poverty
Aligned strongly with Labour
didn’t advocate workers control production- elected professionals
Explain Webb’s views on society
Poverty and inequality of capitalism depresses human potential
Capitalism causes regressive competition
Paternalism and philanthropy and not solutions
Nourishment and education fro children, living wage, healthcare, care for disabled and elderly
Explain Webb’s views on the economy
Chaotic capitalism gradually replaced to secure fruits of labour for workers
New economy based on common ownership
Explain Crosland’s views on human nature
Against huge inequalities of outcome
Explain Crosland’s views on the state
Keynesian economics allowed sufficient expansion to secure welfare state diminishing inequality
Explain Crosland’s views on society
Argued against grammar schools for comprehensive
Equality of opportunity
New classes have emerged meaning owners and workers labels are no longer applicable
Explain Crosland’s views on the economy
No need for total public ownership
Keynsian economics changed capitalism
Mix private enterprise and public ownership
Positive competition
Public spending is greater than ownership
Explain Giddens’ views on human nature
Communities give people confidence
Absence of communities causes people to be influenced by economic and cultural beliefs
Tendency to desire fairness balanced with self aspiration
Explain Giddens’ views on the state
State must allow humans to flourish
More proactive and invest in infrastructure
Modernised education system necessary
Equip people to succeed in knowledge of the economy
Explain Giddens’ views on society
Social cohesion lets capitalism work best
Neo-liberalism is flawed
People want mutual benefit
Capitalism and individualism has some benefits, but negatively affects fraternalism and community
Individuals free to self actualise
Equality of opportunity may have to accept equality of outcome
Explain Giddens’ views on the economy
Capitalism and individualism is irreversible
However is essential in the pursuit of further equality
Free-market is best at empowering individuals economically
Social cohesion and free market capitalism leads to mutual flourishing
Keynsian economics absolute
What do socialists agree about in regards to human nature?
Believe that human nature is malleable (plastic) rather than fixed;
Believe that people are naturally sociable creatures who thrive as apart of a community;
Believe that it is natural for people to want fairness;
Agree on the fundamental importance of fraternity and co-operation at the heart of human nature.
What do socialists agree about tin regards to the state?
Social environment is crucial in determining human nature
The group should take priority over the individual
Egalitarianism
What do socialists agree about in regards to society?
Social class is a barrier for quality of opportunity Capitalism will have negative affects (but some accept this as it will produce a large amount of positives too)
What do socialists agree about in regards to the economy?
A strong state is important to redistribute wealth and bring about equality
The state should not be monarchial or aristocratic (instead based on equality)
What do revolutionary socialists believe about human nature?
Marx- Capitalism is more damaging to human nature than other socialist)
Agree on fairness and equality. However Marxists believe in absolute equality
What do democratic socialists believe about human nature?
Relative equality
What do third way socialists believe about human nature?
Giddens-human nature can flourish under capitalism
In people’s nature to seek fairness but it is natural for individual aspirations
What do revolutionary socialists believe about the state?
Abolish capitalism
Wealth equally owned and distributed (not private)
Total abolition of private property, replaced with common ownership and a classless, communist society
Large welfare state
What do revolutionary socialists believe about society?
Capitalist society is defined by class conflict
Absolute equality Revolution needed for Communist society
Luxemburg- Class position is economically determined
Capitalists class-based society is immoral
What do revolutionary socialists believe about the economy?
Capitalism must be overthrown by a revolution
replaced temporarily with a ‘dictatorship of the proletariat’ before eventually the state ‘withers away’ & communism is established.(Marx and Engels)
Luxemburg- democratic system
What do democratic socialists believe about society?
Crosland- more flexible
More complex than 2 classes
Narrow rather than abolish class divisions
Absolute equality of outcome is unrealistic
What do democratic socialists believe about the state?
Capitalism can be reformed using the welfare state to redistribute wealth and tackle poverty
Mixed economy (some nationalisation)
Giddens- large welfare state can create a damaging culture of dependancy, therefore preferring a neoliberal market economy
What do democratic socialists believe about the economy?
State needs to reform
Socialist change is possible through high public spending and redistribution of wealth
What do Third Way Socialists believe about society?
Capitalism is accepted, may need some reform
supports a dynamic market economy and an enterprise culture to maximise wealth creation.
It does not prioritise the traditional socialist policy of redistributing wealth through progressive taxation
Doesn’t oppose great individual wealth on principle (helps to improve society’s overall prosperity)
What do Third Way Socialists believe about the state?
Gradual improvement through reforms to capitalism and the state
What do Third Way Socialists believe about the economy?
state needs to reform (but with less intervention than Democratic socialists
Giddens- decentralise power and encourage democratic participation
Social/infrastructure programmes
Too much spending on welfare will lead to culture of dependency
