Socialism - Core Ideas And Priciples

Question 1

Core values and propels of socialism

Answer 1

• collectivism
• common humanity
• equality
• social class
• workers control

Question 2

Collectivism?

Answer 2

• collective human effort has more practical and moral value than individual effort
• people working together for a shared goal
• fundamental for ideal society
• idea that group interests are more important than individual - encourages social unity and responsibility

Question 3

Why do socialist support collectivism?

Answer 3

• efficiently utilises resources, less waste & competition
• reinforces idea that humans like living in a groups and nature is shaped by social conditions

Question 4

Example - collectivist polices

Answer 4

• nationalism
• common ownership
• cooperatives
• welfare intervention
• trade unions

Question 5

What s common humanity?

Answer 5

• socialist idea that humans are social beings, able to cooperate & be social & rational
• humans wish to work together, building relationships based on respect, understanding and mutual support, in return achieving positive outcomes

Question 6

What is equality?

Answer 6

• fundamental tenant of socialism
• key goal of socialism is to equally distribute wealth and income

Question 7

What is social class in relation to socialism?

Answer 7

• way to characterise by putting members into groups based on their socioeconic status
• people in same social class are perceived to have similar outlooks and aims
• social class is main driver of change as opposed the individuals

Question 8

Marxist ideas of social class

Answer 8

• the bourgeoisie (wealth owners) and proletariat (working class)
• believes that the inevitable conflict will eventually result in the proletariat (majority) overthrowing the bourgeoisie (minority) to replace it with a socialist society without social classes

Question 9

Workers control?

Answer 9

• partial/full ownership of an enterprise by its workers to ownership of state and economy by workers

Question 10

Benefits of workers control

Answer 10

• more fair & equal distribution of resources and benefits whole workforce
• narrows distinctions in social classes encouraging equality
• motivates workers more as they have more power and feel valued

Question 11

Drawbacks of workers control

Answer 11

• idealistic as businesses need business minded individuals to lead and take risks rather than manual workers, who don’t necessarily have these skills