Socialism

Question 1

5 key themes within Socialism

Answer 1

1. Common humanity
2. Collectivism
3. Equality
4. Social class
5. Workers’ control

Question 2

Collectivism

Answer 2

Collective human effort is both of greater practical value to the economy and more value to society than the effort of individuals

Question 3

Common humanity

Answer 3

The nature of humans as social creatures with a tendency to co-operation, sociability and rationality

The individual cannot be understood without reference to society, because human behaviour is determined by people’s place in society

Question 4

Two types of equality

Answer 4

Social equality

Egalitarianism

Question 5

Social equality

Answer 5

The equal distribution of economic rewards such as income and wealth

Question 6

Egalitarianism

Answer 6

A theory designed to remove or reduce inequalities and ensure everyone had a fair chance in life

Question 7

Social class

Answer 7

A group of people in society who have the same socioeconomic status

Question 8

Workers’ control

Answer 8

Control of the state by workers

Question 9

Tensions within socialism

Answer 9

Revolutionary socialism
Social democracy
Third Way

Question 10

Revolutionary socialism

Answer 10

Socialism can be brought about only by the overthrow of the existing political and societal structures

Question 11

Social democracy

Answer 11

An ideological view that wishes to humanise capitalism in the interests of social justice

Question 12

Third Way

Answer 12

A middle-ground alternative route to socialism and free- market capitalism

Question 13

5 key thinkers

Answer 13

1. Karl Marx and Engels
2. Beatrice Webb
3. Rosa Luxemburg
4. Anthony Crosland
5. Anthony Giddens

Question 14

Karl Marx and Engels

Answer 14

• The centrality of social class- the idea of historical materialism, dialectic change and revolutionary class consciousness
• Humans are social beings- how nature is socially determined and how true common humanity can be expressed only under communism

Question 15

Beatrice Webb

Answer 15

• ‘The inevitability of gradualness’- the gradualist parliamentary strategy for achieving evolutionary socialism
• The expansion of the state- that this, and not the overthrow of the state, is critical in delivering socialism

Question 16

Rosa Luxemburg

Answer 16

• Evolutionary socialism and revisionism- this is not possible as capitalism is based on an economic relationship of exploitation
• Struggle by the proletariat for reform and democracy- this creates the class consciousness necessary for the overthrow of the capitalist society and state

Question 17

Anthony Crosland

Answer 17

• The inherent contradictions in capitalism- does not drive social change and managed capitalism can deliver social justice and equality
• State-managed capitalism- includes the mixed economy, full employment and universal social benefits

Question 18

Anthony Giddens

Answer 18

• The rejection of state intervention- acceptance of the free market in the economy, emphasis on equality of opportunity over equality, responsibility and community over class conflict
• the role of the state- is social investment in infrastructure and education not economic and social engineering