Socialism key thinkers Flashcards
Karl Marx + Friedrich Engles
Communist Manifesto 1848, Das Kapital 1867.
Argued that humans were social and economic beings – human nature had been contaminated
by capitalism which encouraged selfishness, ruthlessness and greed, instilling false
consciousness.
Mankind’s original nature is cooperative, selfless and fraternal.
Argued that capitalism created two classes – bourgeoisie and proletariat, with harsh inequalities
of wealth and power. Exploitation of proletariat. Therefore, capitalist societies were unstable and
proletariat revolution = inevitable.
Rejected liberal view that capitalism promotes prosperity and individual liberty for all. Surplus
value nurtured resentful class consciousness.
Challenged the liberal notion that the state was politically neutral. For socialists, it served in
interests of class that controlled the economy.
Argued that revolution was inevitable and essential: an entirely new state and dictatorship of the
proletariat which would then wither away and be replaced by communism.
Rosa Luxemburg
Member of the German Social Democratic Party (SPD) but left in 1914, appalled by their pro-war stance.
Accepted Marx’s argument that capitalism promoted exploitation and agreed that evolutionary socialism was impossible – revolution was needed.
Like Lenin, little sympathy for Marx’s historicism, she denied that for revolution to occur capitalism needed to reach a certain stage of development. But rejected Lenin’s vanguard revolution. Instead she envisaged revolution arising spontaneously after class consciousness, mass strike action eventually igniting revolution.
Rejected Marxist-Leninist dictatorship of the proletariat. Instead she advocated the immediate construction of a new democracy, common ownership, open debate and elections.
Dismissed Lenin’s socialist nationalism, arguing that there should be revolt against capitalism and nationalism globally.
After the War, helped establish the German Communist Party (KPD). Believed the KPD should contest elections, arguing that having a foothold in the existing political system made it easier for communists to convey the case for revolution to proletariat voters.
Beatrice Webb
Democratic socialist.
Belief in inevitability of gradualism. Effective reform tends to be gradual.
Believed capitalism was principal cause of ‘crippling poverty and demeaning inequality’ and
fostered ‘unnatural ‘levels of avarice and selfishness. ‘Corrupting force’ for humanity.
Paternalism nor philanthropy were sustainable methods.
Poverty and inequality most likely to be eliminated through vigorous trade unionism and state
intervention.
Active in the Fabian Society (organisation committed to evolutionary socialism via reforms at
Westminster) and instrumental in their decision to align with the Labour Party.
Her minority report set out first ideas of a welfare state and benefits, anticipating the Beveridge
Report 1942.
Anthony Crossland
Did not believe common ownership was the end goal – but equality – which could now be managed by a Keynesian capitalist economy which would enjoy economic growth and expansion of welfare state.
Mixed economy compromising of private enterprise and ownership alongside key services and small number of industries owned by state.
For Crossland, future task of socialist gov. was not more public ownership but public spending and better public services.
Argued for new form of state education – comprehensive – which would end segregation of 11 year olds, creating schools catering for all abilities which would break down class divisions and ensure equality of opportunity.
Anthony Giddens
Argued that survival of social democracy required recognition that free market capitalism had unmatched capacity to empower individuals economically.
Triangulation: reconciling neo-liberal’s view of economics with social democracy wish for more equality.
Accepted that post-Fordist (or neo-liberal) capitalism was liberating for individuals – freer to self- actualise and carve out individual identities.
Believed that to balance society and economy, a proactive state was needed, investing heavily in infrastructure, public services and transport and modernised system of education.
Revitalised the case for further state action in an area of globalised capitalism.
Accepted that greater equality of opportunity was accompanied by greater inequality of
outcome.
