socialism key thinkers Flashcards
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
what do Marx and Engels say about humans?
humans are sociable, rational, co-operative, capable of leading satisfying lives based on fulfilling work where conditions for free creative production exist, which don’t exist under capitalism so individuals can’t realise true potential
communist society individuals achieve their true potential through creative work in co-operation with others
Webb’s key ideas
the ‘inevitability of gradualness’ establishing socialism peacefully by passing democratic reform through existing parliamentary institutions
expansion of the state will deliver socialism
what does Webb say about evolutionary socialism?
new age of democratic politics would inevitably lead to policies to secure interest of working class
what does Webb say about expansion of the state?
gradual growth of state power is evidence that collectivism would bring a new socialist age e.g. local authorities increasingly providing utilities and amenities e.g. gas
state would ensure the peaceful emergence of socialism, this would depend on highly trained specialists and administrators to organise society and the economy
what were Rosa Luxemburg’s key ideas?
evolutionary socialism not possible as capitalism is based on economic exploitation
struggle by the proletariat creates the class consciousness needed to overthrow the capitalist state
why did Luxemburg say that proletariat revolution was essential?
evolutionary socialism would leave capitalist system of economic exploitation intact so revolution was necessary to effect true change
what did Luxemburg say about class-consciousness?
the struggle by proletariat for reform and democracy was essential for the creation of worker class-consciousness that would overthrow capitalism
consciousness would develop from within the workers themselves, their discontent against state control would radicalise them and bring about a socialist revolution
why did Luxemburg disagree with Lenin?
did not believe that a small disciplined part was needed to lead workers in revolution
key ideas of Anthony Crosland?
modern capitalism lacks inherent contradictions
state-managed capitalism
what does Crosland say about contradictions of capitalism?
Capitalism has radically changed and no longer based on inherent contradictions as described by Marx, modern capitalism lacked internal tensions to drive social change and bring about revolution
Government pursuing Keynesian economic could maintain high employment and promote economic growth, rather than collapsing, capitalism has raised living standards
what did Crosland say about the role of the state?
Keynesian management of a mixed-economy, some nationalised industries in a system based on private ownership, was the best way to generate economic growth.
provide funds for welfare and social spending to help disadvantaged, while enabling more affluent to preserve their standard of living
what did Crosland say about education?
called for development of comprehensive secondary eduction and expansion of higher education
as education secretary, issued circular 10/65 which converted most schools to comprehensives
‘if its the last thing I do I’m going to destroy every grammar school in England and Wales’
