Socialism human nature

Question 1

what 5 characteristics do socialists believe about human nature?

Answer 1

• optimistic
• fraternal
• rational
• communal
• malleable

Question 2

what do socialists believe about humans being optimistic?

Answer 2

• they take an optimistic view of human nature and human condition. socialists dismiss any notion that human beings should meekly accept their fate or be fearful of the future. instead, socialists are confident that human beigns are destined for a vastly improved world, both individually and generally
• beatrice webb said “a better tomorrow is conceivable, achievable and probable

Question 3

what do socialists believe about humans being fraternal?

Answer 3

• socialists see human nature as fraternal and comradely, naturally inclined towards generosity and concern for others
• socialists think we are naturally collaborative and co-operative, regarding each other as quasi-siblings rather than fierce rivals
• luxemburg agured that “our instinct is not to win but to share”
• according to Giddens, even high earners in a capitalist economy could be rationally persuaded that their own success should finance greater help for themselves

Question 4

what do socialists believe about humans being rational?

Answer 4

• socialists believe human beings are naturally logical and rational. however, on account of our being fraternal socialists believe we can act both reasonably and collaboratively, thus making ‘sensible’ decisions more likely.
• for both webb and crosland, the crucial advantage enjoyed by human beigns was their capacity to collectively plan progress in a methodical manner.
• webb accordingly believed that an ‘enlightened’ state bureaucracy- driven by highly educated people with socialist leanings- could ‘gradually but inevitably’ guide us to an ever-improving life’

Question 5

what do socialists believe about humans being communal?

Answer 5

• socialists argue that we naturally seek to be part of a community- such as a club, school or trade union- rather than relentlessly seeking ‘autonomy’ and individual independence.
• webb stated ‘ we are not lone wolves… we forever seek out the company of the pack’
• the notion that we are naturally communal, rather than individualistic, is powerfully echoed by the predictions of Marx, who argued that the final stage in human development- communism- involved voluntary communities, where everyone would be accommodated according to their ‘needs’ rather than their individual abilities. marx indicated that such communities would frequently involve individuals relegating their own selfish interests so as to serve the more urgent interests of others.

Question 6

what do socialists believe about humans being malleable?

Answer 6

• socialism sees human nature as malleable rather than permanently fixed at birth.
• as marx and engels claimed in their communist manifesto, human nature had been ‘contaminated’ by forces beyond the control of most individuals
• for giddens, governments should not just be tough on crime but tough on the causes of crime, implying that crime was not simply attibutable to wicked individuals
• as human nature is malleable, socialists believe that it is thus repairable- even perfectable- through bold socialist reforms