socialism ideas Flashcards
why do socialists endorse collectivism?
- interests of the groups should take priority over individual self-interest, collectivism encourages social unity and sense of social responsibility towards others
- utilises the capabilities of the whole of society, avoiding wastefulness of competitive individual effort, inherent in capitalist society
what is collectivism?
maintains humans can achieve their social and economic objectives more efficiently through collective action rather than through individual effort, implies society can only be transformed by collective endeavour
more important to pursue the interest of a society or community rather than individual self-interest
what are the most common forms of socialist collectivism?
housing: subsidised homes provided by local government
education: state runs school system, which is free and available to everyone
industry: key industries under state control to operate in national interest
health care: national health service funded by tax, provides free care based on need
industrial relations: workers in trade unions with bargaining rights over terms and conditions
what are the basic criticisms of collectivism?
- emphasises groups action and common interests, suppresses human individuality and destiny
- collectivist objectives only advanced through the state leads to growth of arbitrary state power and erosion of individual freedoms
why is collectivism not such a popular idea?
since 1970s, socialists have attached less importance to collectivism due to perception it was producing a dependency culture and sluggish, uncompetitive workforce (welfare state UK)
what do marxists say about collectivism?
advocate collective action through a centralised state that organises all production and distribution
e.g. USSR after 1929, most industries were nationalised and agricultural land was collectivised to form a modern industrial society
what do moderate socialists say about collectivism?
they accept some degree of free-market capitalism in the economy and pursue collectivism in a more limited war
e.g. 1945-51 labour government nationalised key industries (coal, electricity, iron and steel) but left economy in private hands
how is collectivism rooted in the socialist view of human nature?
humans prefer to work together to achieve their goals, tied by bonds of fraternity, people can only be understood in terms of the social groups they belong to
a membership of community or society offer humans true freedom and fulfilment
what is common humanity?
based on assumptions of human nature, socialists see humans as social creatures with a tendency towards cooperation, sociability and rationality
humans prey to co-operate with, rather than compete against each other, individuals can’t be understood without society because human behaviour is socially determined
why do socialists advocate for common humanity?
they have a positive view of human nature, humans are naturally inclined to work together for the common good and co-operation produces the best results for society and reinforces idea of community
why do socialists oppose competition?
competition is wasteful, promotes social divisions and generates conflict, hostility and resentment. it sets people against each other, rejects common humanity and encourages people to be self-centred and belligerent
what do socialists say about common humanity motivating people?
human motivation should be driven by a moral view, people should work hard in order to improve their society or community because they have a sense of responsibility for other humans
but more contemporary socialists accept the need for at least some material rewards to motivate people
how is common humanity applied to the state?
socialists support an interventionist role for the state
marxists argue state can control economic production and distribution for the benefit of everyone
social democrats advocate state intervention in the form of welfare and redistribution programmes to help those in the greatest needs
what are key concepts of common humanity?
cooperation: working together in a group for the benefit for all/ towards a common goal
fraternity: brotherhood, the idea that all are connected due to their similar nature and interests
why do socialists argue that equality can be justified?
it ensures fairness
reinforces collectivism
is a means of satisfying basic human needs
why do socialists say social equality ensures fairness?
inequality is due to the structural inequalities in a capitalist societies, not innate differences of ability
this is why some socialists reject equality of opportunities because it justifies unequal treatment of people on the grounds of innate ability
other socialists say inequality in the form of differential rewards is inevitable to some extent because humans have different abilities, they have an egalitarian approach to reduce inequality
why do socialists say social equality reinforces collectivism?
humans more likely to co-exist harmoniously in society and work together for common good if they share the same social and economic conditions e.g. Sweden has high levels of social equality based on wealth redistribution and welfare
but societies with great inequalities are unstable because they are sharply divided, which can eventually lead to revolt e.g. Russia 1917 and Mexico 1910-20
why do socialists say social equality is a means of satisfying basic humans needs?
all peoples basic needs are the same (food, shelter) so socialists call for equal distribution of wealth and resources
most socialists agree that the free market cannot allocate wealth and resources fairly to all members of society, redistribution is necessary
why do socialists endorse common ownership?
- wealth is created by the communal endeavour of humans so should be collectively owned
- private property encourages materialism and fosters the fall belief that the achievement of personal wealth will bring fulfilment
- private property generates social conflict between ‘have’ and ‘have-not’ groups
what do marxists say about social and economic equality?
they demand absolute equality for everyone in terms of material rewards and life opportunities
this is achieved by the controlled distribution of goods and services, abolition of private property and introduction of common ownership of all means of production
why do social democrats about social and economic equality?
call for limited state intervention to achieve relative equality via welfare measures, government spending and progressive taxation
aim to remove absolute poverty and then a certain level of inequality is tolerated
state doesn’t control all means of production, its role is to adjust distribution to narrow differences in wealth and life chances
they seek to reform, not abolish capitalism, they embrace equality of opportunity
examples of common ownership being implemented?
USSR from 1930s, stalinist regime implemented all-encompassing form of common ownership
Atlee labour government opted for limited common ownership by nationalising only key strategic industries including coal mines, railways and steel-making
socialists disagreements about equality of outcome
rewards should be based on an individuals contribution, this varies from person to person so still some inequality
supported by fundamentalist socialists (reject capitalism) as it removes free-market influence
opposed by social democrats and third way as a form of artificial levelling
socialists disagreements about absolute equality
everyone receives same rewards, providing they make a contribution to society, overtime everyone makes broadly equal contributions
supported by Marxists as the basis for communist society
opposed by social democrats and third way as impractical and potentially destabilising
