socialism differing views Flashcards
why do revolutionary socialists reject the use of democratic methods in the pursuit of a socialist society?
industrialisation and capitalism brought poverty, exploitation and unemployment which was expected to radicalise the working class
workers had little ability to influence policies in government systems dominated by bourgeoisie
what to revolutionary socialist say about the state?
state is an instrument of class oppression, defending capitalist interest, the dominance of bourgeoisie reinforced by key institutions e.g political system and mass media
gradual change not effective because bourgeoisie too firmly entrenched
existing state must be completely uprooted and replaced, often leads to violence, revolutionary socialists in russia (1918-22) and Mexico (1910-20) fought bloody civil wars to establish their regimes
examples of revolutionary socialism
after WWII:
Chinese communists led by Mao
Cuban communism under Castro
they concluded socialist revolution was the only way to remove colonial powers, intended to bring about rapid modernisation and catch up with more prosperous and technological advanced countries
social democracy attempts to reconcile free-market capitalism with state intervention, based on three assumptions
- capitalism is a dependable creator of wealth, the way it distributes wealth produce inequality and poverty
- state intervention in economic and social affairs can protect the public and remedy the weaknesses of capitalism
- peaceful and constitutional methods should be used to bring about social change (evolutionary socialism)
why did social democracy move away from marxism?
marxists analysis of capitalism was flawed, instead of succumbing to economic crises and promoting class conflict, it was proving resilient and adaptable e.g. Bernstein said stock companies had widened ownership of wealth through shareholders
key elements of social democracy
- support a mixed economy with only key strategic industries nationalised (atlee labour gov), Keynesianism
- capitalist reform through the welfare state, which would redistribute wealth to tackle social inequality
- socialism is morally superior to capitalism because it promotes social justice
what do revolutionary socialists say about capitalism?
any attempt to humanise capitalism, a system based on inequality and exploitation would undermine principles of socialism
examples of social democracy
early post-1945
two conflicted features, attempted to deliver both economic efficiency and egalitarianism
this tension was concealed initially but a sharp economic downturn exposed them with demand for welfare services increased as tax-based funding declined
why was there a decline of social democracy?
the shift to a post-industrial service-based economy and contraction of working class due to deindustrialisation, reduced social democracy’s electoral base
key features of third-way thinking
the primacy of the market over the state
the value of community and moral responsibility
a social model based on consensus and harmony
social inclusion rather than equality
a competition or market state
the primacy of the market over the state
accepts globalisation and the ‘knowledge economy’ to ensure competitiveness and productivity to maximise wealth creation (ideological links to Neo-liberalism)
e.g. under new labour the private sector became involved in the provision of public services through private finance initiatives
the value of community and moral responsibility
distances itself from moral and social downside of Neo-liberal economics
new labour linked communitarian and liberal ideas, emphasised that personal autonomy operates within a communal context based on mutual dependence and benefit, balancing rights with responsibilities
a social model based on consensus and harmony
differs from traditional socialist focus on class differences and inequality
endorses what might be seen as opposing values and concepts e.g. champions self-reliance and mutual dependence
social inclusion
rather than socialist commitment to equality
emphasise equality of opportunity and meritocratic school system
doesn’t oppose great individual wealth if it helps to improve society overall prosperity
welfare should target socially marginalised groups and provide the assistance people need to enable them to improve their own situation e.g. Blair said ‘a hand up not a hand out’, target those who are actively seeking employment
a competition or market state
aims to develop the national workforce’s skills and knowledge base
focusing on social investment, the competition state emphasises the importance of education as it improves a person’s job prospects and boosts economic growth e.g. new labour slogan ‘education, education, education’
what is the third way?
middle ground between social democracy and free-market liberalism hence ‘third
way’
how is third-way criticised?
although new labour was electoral successful in 1997, 2001 and 2005
some socialists say its lacks real socialist content e.g. watered down commitment to equality
neo-revisionism was a labour rebranding to attract middle class voters and business interests
however it introduced measures that promoted social justice e.g educational maintenance allowance and minimum wage
branches of socialism: human nature
positive view of human nature, they are social, co-operative and rational
human behaviour is socially determined and people naturally prefer to work together
this co-operative outlook enables humans to form connections and harness and capabilities of the whole community
branches of socialism: the state
marxism: regards the state as an instrument of class rule, bourgeoisie use the state to maintain their dominance, state will wither away once communism has established a classless society, in practice socialist regimes used to to organise production and distribution and control population
social democrats: limited state intervention can safeguard the public
third-way: state should focus on social investment in infrastructure and education to improve job opportunities and encourage self-reliance ‘top-down’ approach is inefficient and ineffective
branches of socialism: society
characterised by class inequalities and economic divisions marxists: capitalist society dominated by class conflict between bourgeoisie and proletariat, only communism (classless and absolute equality) can deliver a stable and unified society
social democrats: accept class inequalities exist but social differences reduced through peaceful improvements
branches of socialism: the economy
most socialists call for some form of intervention or planning in the economy because free-market can’t allocate wealth and resources fairly
Marxists: replace capitalism with a centrally planned economy based on common ownership and means of production
social democrats: accept a degree of free-market capitalism, favour mixed economy with Keynesian techniques to redistribute wealth
third way: accept free market as its most efficient for economic growth as it benefits everyone, rejects state intervention in economy as it discourages investment
who are the socialist key thinkers?
Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels Beatrice Webb Rosa Luxemburg Anthony Crosland Anthony Giddens
Marx and Engels key ideas
social class is central to socialism human nature is socially determined and can only be expressed under communism
social class underpins three key elements of Marxism
historical materialism: historical and social development explained in terms of economic and class factors, economy powerfully influences society
dialectic change: a process of development that occurs through conflict between two opposing forces, through history is propelled by struggle between exploiters and exploited, end with establishment of communist society
class consciousness: needed for oppressed to overthrow their oppressors, before socialist revolution proletariat must be aware of its interests and determined to pursue them
