SOCIALISM - key ideas Flashcards
COMMON HUMANITY
no man is an island
all humans are connected with other humans
‘no man is an island, entire of itself’
COMMON HUMANITY
human nature is plastic
human nature is not unchanging
human nature is malleable
they favour nurture over nature
each individual’s experiences of life mould and condition their personality
COMMON HUMANITY
human nature is fraternal
humans are social beings, capable of overcoming issues together.
fraternity - humans are comrades, brothers, and sisters, tied to one another by bonds of a common humanity.
COMMON HUMANITY
anti-atomisation
humans are not self-sufficient nor self-contained
we rely on others
individuals can only be understood through the social groups to which they belong.
individuals are mirrors of our society
COLLECTIVISM
definition
belief that collective human endeavour is of greater practical and moral value than individual self-striving.
it is based on cooperation, morality, and effectiveness.
COLLECTIVISM
what is the state’s role?
growth of the state, expansion of state services, and increase in state spending for the benefit of everyone.
COLLECTIVISM
in a communist state?
dictatorship of proletariat is temporary
collective action via a centralised state that organises nearly all production and distribution.
collectivisation of agricultural land etc.
COLLECTIVISM
in a social democratic (revisionist) state?
promote collectivism through state ownership of key industries
these people accept some free-market capitalism and so have pursued collectivism in a limited way.
they use central planning by the state to help direct economy and regulate market
EQUALITY
define egalitarianism
theory based on desire to promote equality
EQUALITY
the community
when people live in equal social circumstances, they are more likely to work together for the common benefit
equal outcomes strengthen social solidarity.
EQUALITY
necessary for satisfaction
satisfaction of needs is the essence of freedom
social inequality is a need and it is fundamental to the human condition
EQUALITY
equality of outcome
marxists and communists believe in absolute social equality, brought through abolition of private property which leads to collectivisation through common ownership of productive wealth
social democrats believe in relative social equality, achieved by the redistribution of wealth through welfare state and a system of progressively higher tax for the wealthy - this is to narrow, not abolish the gap.
SOCIAL CLASS
marxist definition
an individual’s class in capitalism is determined by their relation to ownership and control of property or capital
bourgeoisie - ruling class, owners of productive wealth
proletariat - subsists through sale of its labour
SOCIAL CLASS
why is it important for socialists?
they believe class is the deepest and most politically significant of social divisions.
they believe social classes, and not individuals, are the principal actors in history and are key to understanding social/political change
SOCIAL CLASS
marxism v social democracy on class division
social democrats have defined social class through income and status differences between MC, non-manual workers, and the WC
marxists define social class through conflict between bourgeoisie and proletariat
