Socialism - Core ideas - final

Question 1

What view do socialists take of human nature?

Answer 1

They have an upbeat, optimistic view.

Question 2

What is socialism’s optimistic view of human nature?

Answer 2

They see people as naturally cooperative, generous, and altruistic.

Question 3

What do humans naturally seek on account of their nature?

Answer 3

Solidarity, fraternity, and comradeship.

Question 4

What is it about human nature that means socialists are optimistic for the future?

Answer 4

They see human nature as ‘plastic’ and malleable rather than fixed at birth, meaning people can be changed and allowed to achieve their full potential.

Question 5

What does socialism focus on to find an understanding of human nature?

Answer 5

Our social environment. Socialists see people as products of the society into which they are born, unlike liberals who see it the other way round.

Question 6

What did Marx and Engels consider the forces of society to be centred around?

Answer 6

They saw them are primarily economic, with the means of production having a crucial impact on the nature of society and by extension, human behaviour.

Question 7

What is often cited as the main reason individuals do not fulfil their potential?

Answer 7

Society

Question 8

How does the socialist views of human nature and society link for a positive future?

Answer 8

If the nature of society can be changed positively, there will be a corresponding positive change in humans.

Question 9

What concept is central to socialism?

Answer 9

Social class

Question 10

For socialists, what as the major consequence of the industrial revolution?

Answer 10

The emergence of distinct social classes based principally on employment and an individual’s source of income.

Question 11

What, according to socialists, shapes an individual’s status, priorities, and prospects?

Answer 11

The social class they are born into.

Question 12

What determines an individual’s social class?

Answer 12

Their status within society’s economy.

Question 13

As well as equality of opportunity, what else do socialists want?

Answer 13

Equality of outcome

Question 14

What do socialists mean by equality of outcome?

Answer 14

Greater similarity between people’s material resources and material circumstances - a narrowing of the gap between rich and poor.

Question 15

What do socialists mean by social justice?

Answer 15

Greater equality of outcome.

Question 16

In order to have equality of opportunity, what must first happen according to socialists?

Answer 16

Equality of outcome

Question 17

If you allow inequality of outcome in one generation, what will happen in the next?

Answer 17

Inequality of opportunity

Question 18

What determines social class according to socialists?

Answer 18

The economic system.

Question 19

What is the natural condition of mankind - cooperation and fraternity - threatened by?

Answer 19

Private property and capitalism as they encourage competitiveness, egotism, and self-interest.

Question 20

What does capitalism generate that undermines equality of opportunity?

Answer 20

Inequality of outcome.

Question 21

What sort of economy do socialists champion?

Answer 21

One that provides for:

• greater worker control of industry.
• redistribution of wealth.

Question 22

How did Tony Benn describe socialist economics?

Answer 22

“the politics of Robin Hood”

Question 23

What do socialists describe their approach to the economy as?

Answer 23

Redistributionist

Question 24

What would socialists reject in their economy?

Answer 24

• Laissez-faire capitalism
• Low taxation
• Greater state involvement
• Collectivism

Question 25

What would a socialist economy claim to focus on?

Answer 25

The needs of society as a whole rather than on the abilities of a few enterprising individuals.

Question 26

What are the five forms collectivisation would take?

Answer 26

• Progressive taxation
• Progressive public spending
• Extensive public services
• State regulation of capitalism
• State/common ownership

Question 27

What is meant by progressive public spending?

Answer 27

When the state uses its economic resources to help the least fortunate in society - for example, state benefits to the unemployed.

Question 28

Why do socialists want the state to provide services and not free enterprise?

Answer 28

If left to private enterprise services such as health care and education will be inaccessible to the less advantaged.

Question 29

What would a more collectivist economy be like that is better than an capitalist one?

Answer 29

• Fraternal and cooperative, with greater social justice.

- More stable and manageable as opposed to the volatile nature of capitalism.

Question 30

What makes socialism distinguishable from anarchism?

Answer 30

They advocate a strong state.

Question 31

Why do socialists want a strong state?

Answer 31

Without it it will be impossible to bring about a fairer and more equal society.

Question 32

What do Marxists and orthodox communists believe will happen tot he state eventually?

Answer 32

It will ‘wither away’ - something Marx described as ‘the end of history’.

Question 33

What three traditional types of state do socialists reject?

Answer 33

• Monarchical state
• Theocratic state
• Aristocratic state