Socialism Key Terms

Question 1

Collectivism

Answer 1

Advocating collective control especially over production and distribution

Question 2

What are the 2 reasons socialists endorse collectivism

Answer 2

Moral perspective and Economic perspective

Question 3

What is the economic perspective endorsing collective responsibility (2)

Answer 3

• Utilities the capabilities of the whole society, more effective.
• Avoid waste and competitiveness

Question 4

Moral Perspective for collectivism (2)

Answer 4

• group interests should take priority over individual self-interest.
• Encourage social unity

Question 5

How does collectivism link to human nature

Answer 5

Humans are social animals and have the capacity for collective action

-fraternity

Question 6

What is fraternity (2)

Answer 6

• humans bound together by comradeship and a common outlook
• share the same basic nature and interests

Question 7

Socialist belief about human nature

Answer 7

molded by social conditions, experiences and circumstances of one’s life

Question 8

What do Marxists believe about collectivism (2)

Answer 8

• Centralised action through centralised state
• more industrial and efficient society

Question 9

Criticism of collectivism (2)

Answer 9

• Collectivism suppresses human individuality and diversity
• Leads to growth of arbitrary state power
• the erosion of individual freedoms

Question 10

What is common humanity

Answer 10

See humanity as social creatures with tendency towards co-operation, sociability and rationality.

Question 11

What do socialist view competition as (2)

Answer 11

Wasteful, promotes social division

Question 12

Common humanity and the interverntionist role of the state

Answer 12

The agency of the state can be used to contol economic production and distribution to benefit everyone

Question 13

What do socialists believe about equality (3)

Answer 13

Ensures Fairness
Reinforces collectivism
satisfying basic human needs

Question 14

Why do socialist believe economic inequality exists

Answer 14

Structural inequalities rather than innate differences of ability.

Question 15

How does equality positively effect society

Answer 15

Reinforces collectivism, co-operation and solidarity- people are more likely to co-exist harmoniously if share same economic and social conditions

Question 16

How does equality satisfy basic human needs

Answer 16

equal distribution of wealth and resources to promote human fulfilment and realise human potential

Question 17

Why do socialists endorse common ownership (3)

Answer 17

• Wealth created by the communal endeavour of humans, should be owned collectively
• Private property encourages materialism, idea of wealth bringing fulfilment
• Private property generates social conflict between groups

Question 18

How do socialist view Social Class

Answer 18

• Explains most divides in society
• Aim to eradicate all class distinctions or seek to diminish class inequalities significantly

Question 19

Worker’s control

Answer 19

Complete or partial ownership of an economic enterprise by those employed there

Question 20

Reasons socialists support Workers’ control

Answer 20

-Promotes collective effort, pursuit of group interests

Question 21

Critique of Workers’ control

Answer 21

-utopian and fails to acknowledge that business needs risk-taker and investors as well as workers