SOCIALISM - Anthony Giddens | third way summary

Question 1

What does he argue in Beyond Left and Right?

Answer 1

he outlines the corrosive effects of capitalism and individualism upon community and fraternity

paradoxically, he also stressed that capitalism and individualism were irreversible and that any project towards greater equality would need to address this

Question 2

What does he argue in The Third Way: The Renewal of Social Democracy?

Answer 2

he argued that the survival of social democracy required the recognition that free-market capitalism had unmatched capacity to empower individuals economically.

however, he also argued that capitalism flourished when there was a strong sense of social cohesion, which neo-liberalism overlooked.

Question 3

What major revolutions did Giddens feel the Third Way had to respond to?

Answer 3

globalisation - the govt needed to keep the UK globally competitve

personal lives - surveys were showing that focus on class-based wages was being replaced with qualify of life issues concerning the growing MC

nature - international cooperation argued for to avoid ecological catastrophe

Question 4

What is G’s new mixed economy?

Answer 4

this perspective basically wanted to find opportunities for the public and private sectors to work together to get the best of both.

dynamism of markets mixed with public itnerest.

this can be seen through the new clause four of the Lab Const where the commitment to public ownership was replaced with promises to use dynamic economy to serve the public interest.

Question 5

G’s rights AND responsibilities

Answer 5

he argues for communitarianism - people had the right to get help from the state, but also have the responsibility to help themselves

positive welfare = a hand up, not a hand out.

this can be seen through New Lab’s workfare programmed that reduced unemployment via work experience, further education, and training.

Question 6

How does G’s social investment state differ from the old welfare state?

Answer 6

globalisation and changing nature of industry means that G thought the best thing the state could do is focus on inclusion and not old state welfare

the state should invest in people and infrastructure

inclusion required encouragment of work, investment in lifelong education, and a growing economy creating desirable jobs

G believes the welfare system should focus on WHY and not WHO of poverty.

Question 7

Human nature

Answer 7

he accepted the malleable nature of humanity

accepted that NR neoliberal influence means that there is an increase in the pursuit of individual aspiration

Question 8

Society

qu

Answer 8

society is more bourgeois and socialists need to work with this

adjustments of collectivism to include more need for individualism in society or lost its relevance

aim is for social inclusion and equality of opportunity NOT outcome.

balance between collectivism and individualism = communitarianism (communal responsibility)

Question 9

State

qu

Answer 9

greater acceptance of neoliberalism

state needs to invest in social infrastructre, particularly education services.

tony blair priorities - ‘education, education, and education;

Question 10

Economy

Answer 10

stressed that capitalism was irreversible

NR established a neoliberal economy - there was no need to spend on re-nationalising industries, but instead use the tax income to finance a huge increase in public spending, especially on education, training and targeted welfare.

direct redistribution of wealth :(

creating greater equality via equality of opportunity and employability :)