socialism mine Flashcards
revolutionary socialists
Karl Marx and Frederick Engels (Marx and Engels)
Rosa Luxembourg
Evolutionary socialists/ social democrats
Beatrice Webbs
John Maynard Keynes
Tony Crosland
Third Way socialists
Blair
Antony Giddens
mercantile capitalism definition
borrow money to buy items and resell at higher price
join stock companies definiton
companies could finance bigger trade missions and spread risk of trade. joint stick capitalism bay own 10% of 10 boats
industrial capitalism definition
an economic system that relies on investment in machines and tech that are used to increase production of marketable goods
enclosure
Landlords would reclaim and privatise fields that had previously been for common use by multiple tenants. Increased agricultural productivity, but impoverished tenant farmers who lost their livelihoods.
utopian socialism definition
reject revolutionary action. humans have desires that go beyond basic self interest and we aren’t always economically rational actors
revolutionary socialism definition
capitalism can only be overthrown through violent revolution by the working classes
class struggle + bourgeois oppression
collectivism definition and why they support it
working cooperatively yields better, more efficient results than individually
From a moral perspective, the self interests of the group should take priority over the individual self interest. encourages social unity and a sense of social responsibility towards others. practical as it utilises the capabilities of the whole of society
common humanity definition
humans have common characteristics, we would rather cooperate than compete
class
nations are human inventions by the bourgeoisie to divide us and ensure we cannot unite and overthrow. = class is what divides us, not nations
marx on human nature
- tied by fraternity (Marx)
- cooperative not competitive
most common forms of socialist collectivism
Education: The state runs the school system, which is free and avaliable to everybody–>State schools, LEA (Local education authorites)
Health Care: National health service, funded from general taxation, provides free care based on need–> NHS
Industrial relations: Workers organised in trade unions with bargaining rights over terms and conditions –> BMA
Housing: Subsidised homes provided by local government –> Council housing
Industry: Key industries under state control to operate in the national interest. –> British nuclear
human nature to socialists
Socialists argue that humans are naturally inclined to work together for the common good and that co-operative effort produces the best results for society
common ownership, why?
As wealth is created by the communal endeavour of humans, it should be owned collectively, not by individuals
Private property encourages materialism and fosters the false belief that the achievement of personal wealth will bring fulfilment, and this does not promote cooperation and common humanity
Private property generates social conflict between owners and workers
What criticisms are made of social equality by opponents of socialism?
It is unjust and does not reward people according to their skills and abilities
It lowers human ambition, motivation and initiative by removing incentives
It restricts the liberties of individuals due to extensive state control
It stifles diversity and individuality–> Promotes uniformity
marxist revolution small
will lead to a proletarian revolution that overthrows the capitalist state and the bourgeoisie. There will be no classes following this, they will WITHER AWAY and this will be a state of pure communism
marx on different industries
he lived through the evolution of cottage industry (made own crafts in home then sold) to the industrial revolution where factories were under control of owner and workers were “cogs in the machine” and used as a means to an end
lack of labour laws = even children crawling under machine to fix them + injuries. long hours, poor conditions and little pay
marx on species essence
gattungswesen
Eric Fromm descrives it as “the essence of a man” which is realised in productive activity
he must be in an organic relationship with the activity and works produced = for work to be fulfilling
under capitalism, workers are alienated from their species essence
marx solution
predicts a class struggle where
workers needed to organise and revolt by seizing the means of production
“workers of the world unite, you have nothing to lose but your chains”
marx on serfs
before modernisation, farmers owned the land they cultivated and found fulfillment in that. but, with private ownership increasing, this left serfs to work = beginnings of capitalism
marx quote on alienation and community
“society does not consist of individuals”
we need “connections and relationships” - this is where we gain fulfillment. to other people and our work
“a man becomes an abstract activity and a stomach”
class divisions emerge out of capitalism - those who had control over the means of production and those who didn’t
marx define superstructure
includes societal instituitons eg family, education, religion, media, politics which reinforce social hierarchies, oppressing the working class
marx define dominant ideology
the ruling ideas in any society were those od the ruling class, enforced by superstructures
eg church convinces that social positions are natural rather than artificial to stop rebellions
marx define commodity fetishism
capitalism and material goods are placed above love, marriage, happiness for economic reasons.
How did Anthony Crosland defend social democracy to revolutionary socialists
- A new skilled governing class had now taken over the control of industry. Crosland said that social democracy works because the technocrats run the companies in the interests of the company
three main characteristics of 20th century social democracy
- Support for a mixed economy of both state and privately owned business, with only key industries nationalised
- Keynesianism as a form of regulating the economy and maintaining full employment
Social justice, as described by Beveridge. From “cradle to grave” support from the state
how does birth of third way socialism link to social democracy
- It came out Labour’s multiple election defeats and they could see that the public did not like social democracy. This led to the birth of Third Way Socialism
main characteristics of third way thinking market over state
- primacy of the market over the state – Rejects top down state intervention. Neo-revisionists accept globalisation and the ‘knowledge economy’ where information and communication technologies ensure competitiveness and productivity. By endorsing a dynamic market economy and an enterprise culture to maximise wealth creation, the third way has ideological links with neo-liberalism.
main characteristics of third way -community
- The value of community and moral responsibility – Neo-revisionists also endorse the value of community and moral responsibility. Here, third-way thinking distances itself from the perceived moral and social downside of neo-liberal economics, a market-driven free-for-all. New Labour attempted to resolve this tension in the late 1995 and early 2000s by linking communitarian and liberal ideas. The resulting communitarian liberalism emphasised that personal autonomy operates within a communal context based on mutual dependence and benefit, balancing rights with responsibilities.
main characteristics of third way - consensus
- A social model based on consensus and harmony – Third Way thinking puts forward a social model based on consensus and harmony that clearly differs from the traditional socialist focus on class differences and inequality. Consequently third-way advocates see no contradiction in endorsing what might be seen as opposing values or concepts.
main characteristics of third way thinking - social inclusion
- Social inclusion – Third-way supporters have also shifted away from the socialist commitment to equality in order to endorse the concept of social inclusion. Neo revisionists, emphasise equality of opportunity and a meritocratic system. They do not oppose great individual wealth, providing it helps the prosperity of society. Welfare support should only be there for those, who are actively seeking work and are unemployed.
characteristics of third way thinking - competition
- A competition or market state – The third way also takes a different view of the state’s function, with neo revisionists saying the concept of a market can develop the national workforce and knowledge base. The competition state emphasises the importance of education for improving a person’s job prospects and boost
marx/engels on state (+luxembourg)
communist society which sees the withering away of the state and the abolition of private property and class differences. Freed from these constraints an individual can become a fully developed person achieving their potential through creative work in co-operation with others.
The state is a tool of capitalist oppression
marx/engels on equality (+luxembourg, crosland)
Absolute Equality can only be achieved within a communist society. State has withered away. No hierarchy or status.
marx/engels on capitalism (+luxembourg)
Capitalism prevents individuals from reaching their true potential as it is based on competition and selfishness. Humans are by nature co-operative and selfless so capitalism has to be abolished through revolution.
LXBRG -‘you cant humanise capitalism’
mrax/engels on class (+luxembourg)
Class is the key engine of change and is central to the struggle between the exploiters and exploited. Class consciousness is needed to achieve revolution but then class itself will disappear with the achievement of a communist society.
Creates dialectical change
Class consciousness - proletariat will become conscious that they are being exploited - then you will clash with bourgeousie then bosh revolution
marx/engels on route to socialism (+luxembourg)
Class consciousness is needed for the oppressed to overthrow their oppressors. Before a revolution the proletariat has to become a class for itself, aware of its own interests and determined to pursue them.
-violent revolution must be leaderless and spontaneous
beatrice webb on state
Webb emphasised that the state’s ability to deliver socialism would depend heavily on highly trained specialists and administrators to organise society and the economy. Over time, municipal and state intervention would increase as more areas of life would need to be regulated and planned. State is necessary
-state needs to ensure people get the same standard of living.
beatrice webb on equality
the working class should not be empowered as this will corrupt and too heavily influence the state. Her view is elitist and she thinks that society should be ran by those who are skilled.
Equality of outcome
beatrice webb on capitalism
not opposed to Capitalism and thinks it cannot be destroyed, as it creates a lot of money.
However she thinks that Capitalism must be harnessed through a growing state, and Webb thinks that the working class should not get in charge
Wants to reform capitalism over time.
beatrice webb on class
Rejected class struggle, dont need a class war.
Rejects class consciousness
To improve the lot of the working class - you can raise them up eg sanitation, job prospects
Dont need to take the law into your own hands
Representative democracy was preferable because it would lead to a skilled governing class subject to democratic constraints. attitude to suffrage is elitist
beatrice webb on route to socialism
-through gradual/evolutionary reform through the state and peaceful expansion of the state to ensure peaceful transition. No dates for this.
She believed in the “inevitability of gradualness” establishing socialism peacefully by passing democratic reforms through the existing parliamentary system
crosland on state
State managed Capitalism. This is to manage the inefficiencies in Capitalism and allows for social equality and justice. Technocratic state.
- in favour of a state which will manage capitalism
crosland on capitalism
“The Future of Socialism” Crosland claimed that capitalism had radically changed and no longer resembled an economic system based on inherent contradictions. Modern capitalism lacked the internal tensions to drive social change or bring the revolution
Mixed economy that is state managed
crosland on class
- Doesnt believe in class struggle
- Thorught he management of the state, the workign class; working class can be improved thru the working class and the govt working together
CONSENSUS -
crosland on route to socialism
Nationalisation and state control
Harness capitalism
British steel, national coal board, british airways and rail
giddens on state
- He rejected top down state invention and wanted investement into the lower parts
- Big state is not a good thing, is always inefficient.
- But, you must have a state = you must havee a limited state
- State should run social policy eg education but not the economy. Roll back the frontiers of the govt.
- He a sociologist - new labour use his ides eg mandelson uses.
Doesnt like thatcherism everyone for themselves in that respect
giddens on equality
equality of opportunity is okay with legislative protection.
-all given good education
-a hand up, not a hand out
-we will give u a hand up but after that its up to u
(echoes thatcherism)
giddens on capitalism
-likes free market economies but has some negative outcomes
-sometimes we needs capitalism as it ‘reflects our individualism’
As we are individuals first not a collective
-makes lots of money which can be reinvested into social
-unregulated capitalism is bad (ALL AGREE THIS)
giddens on class
Links to partisan dealignment theory - class has withered away anyway
-class struggle is ‘outdated’ - we are individuals. Class lens is outdated.
-he is a meritocrat
We should be rewarded on merits
giddens on route to socialism
THE THIRD WAY - balancing free market efficiency with social cohesion and investment
Balancing thatcherite free market principles with socialist investment
crosland on equality
Creation of a more communitarian society – existing inequalities created resentment, which was bad for economics
The need for social justice – Crosland called this ‘democratic equality’ and argued that socialism had to move beyond equality of opportunity and to outcome.
Economic efficiency – There was no clear relationship between an individual’s status and rewards and the importance of economic function
Who first coined the term ‘socialism’?
Charles Fourier
Where did socialism grow from?
Similar to Liberalism - political ideas that grew from the rationalism of the Enlightenment.
Where are ideas of revolutionary socialism mostly derived from?
The workings of Marx and Engels.
Known as Marxism.
Who adapted the ideas of Marxism?
Rosa Luxemburg.
What is the main difference between Luxembourg’s socialism and Marxism?
She insisted on democracy as the best vehicle for achieving communism.
Democracy must then continue in a post-revolutionary communist society.
What is evolutionary socialism?
Oppostion to radical change, preferring gradual change within existing parliamentary structure.
Socialism will eventually emerge through democratic change.
What did Webb argue about capitalism?
It must be gradually reformed via parliament to achieve a socialist state.
This would occur via mass nationalisation and state management by a socialist elite to ensure social justice.
When did social democracy emerge?
1950s.
How does social democracy view the previous forms of socialism?
Marxism as irrelevant.
Democratic socialism as outdated.
What does social democracy value above all else?
Social justice above common ownership and achieves this via reworking existing capitalist systems democratically.
Who created the idea behind the ‘third way’?
Anthony Giddens (b. 1938)
What did Giddens see his version of socialism as?
A renewal of social democracy with an added neo-liberal twist.
Who did the ideas of ‘Third Way’ socialism inspire?
Tony Blair’s New Labour
Bill Clinton’s Democrats
