socialism key words

Question 1

fraternity

Answer 1

The sharing of common interests and beliefs; it implies that a group with similar interests and beliefs are as close as ‘if they were brothers’. Socialists believe that the fraternity generated by an equitable distribution of wealth would free us from having to compete with our fellow people
Workers’ rights have been defended and promoted all over the world via comrades standing shoulder to shoulder with one another against their oppressors. It is only through shared sense of brotherhood that we can ever hope to improve humanity,

Question 2

Co-operation

Answer 2

Socialism is based on the fundemental assumption that human nature is a work in progress and that out behaviour is determined by the economic system.
As with all previous societies, a capatalist society is based upon conflict between the socal classes. Socialism however seeks to create a world based on co-operation with our fellow man. The concept is closely linked with the notion of shared ownership.

Question 3

Capitalism

Answer 3

An economic and political system in which property and resources are owned privately, rather than by the state, with the intention of generating profit.

Question 4

Common ownership

Answer 4

Also known as public ownership; this occurs when an organisation is run by the government for the benefit of all members of society. Common ownership is also referred to as nationalisation

Question 5

Communism

Answer 5

Communism is an economic system based on common ownership and a planned economy. This contracts with capitalism.
Marx predicted the collapse of the capitalist system due to the internal contradictions between the interests of the bourgeoisie and the proletariat resulting in a revolution led by the oppressed followed by the dictatorship of the proletariat, Eventually, class conflict would come to and end and the result would be the inevitable victory of socialism. Common ownership would replace private property, and the state would distribute resources in an equitable manner.

Question 6

Class consciousness

Answer 6

A stage along the course of human development at which the proletariat becomes fully aware of their exploitation. Class consciousness eventually determines the realisation of Marx’s prediction of a full scale revolution which then leads to the dictatorship of the proletariat.

Question 7

Historical materialism

Answer 7

This states that the material conditions of the mode of production determines its organisation and more importantly its development.
Believes that society has to move through a number of different means of production for those material goods, and that these different means of production form the basis of our economic system and subsequently our culture, laws, and institutions