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UK Politics > Socialism (NOT EXAM) > Flashcards

Socialism (NOT EXAM) Flashcards

1
Q

Define collectivism, and how it influences socialist thinking

A

Priotising the group over the individual - humans can achieve their objectives more effectively through collective action.

Society is therefore more likely to be transformed through collective endeavour.

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2
Q

Define common humanity, and what it means for socialist thinking.

A

Humans are social creatures with a tendency for cooperation, sociability and rationality.

The individual can not be understood without reference to society because human behaviour is determined by people’s place in society.

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3
Q

Define Fraternity

A

The sharing of common interests and beliefs - put into action with collective action.

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4
Q

Define common ownership

A

Criticism of private property (Productive wealth)

  • common ownership ensures that the needs of the many override those of the few.
  • Wealth is created by communal effort so should be owned collectively.
  • Private property encourages materialism and conflict between the rich and poor.
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5
Q

How do socialists criticise private property?

A

Private property encourages materialism and conflict between the rich and poor.

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6
Q

Define Capitalism

A

an economic system in which wealth is owned by private individuals or businesses and goods are produced for exchange according to the dictates of the market.

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7
Q

Define economic determinism

A

our behaviour is determined by the structure of the economy therefore our behaviour will change if the economic system changes

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8
Q

2 criticisms of collectivism

A
  • Suppresses human individuality and diversity.
  • Leads to the growth of arbitrary state power and erodes individual freedoms.
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9
Q

Socialist view on changing Human Nature

A

Positive human nature, but human nature is malleable and changeable.

If we reward competitiveness and selfishness it makes us less caring and considerate.

Economic determinism

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10
Q

3 principles of Equality

A

EQUALITY OF OUTCOME - Equal distribution of economic rewards like wealth and income.

EGALITARIANISM - Desire to promote equality of outcome. Remove or reduce inequalities and ensure everyone has a far chance in life.

EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY - everyone has the same chance at the ebginning.

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11
Q

Socialist view on workers’ control

A

The complete or partial ownership of an enterprise by employees, including real decision making powers.

Control of the state by the workers.

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12
Q

Main agreement in socialism

A

Human Nature and society: all socialists believe we are are better off cooperating our society should aim for that

Social inequality is caused by economics

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13
Q

Main disagreement in socialism

A

How the state and the economy will support the goal of shared humanity. Many variations from a stateless society with no private property to a mixed economy with strong state intervention, to a neo-liberal capitalist economy with minimal state involvement.

Differences are more often to do with the means rather than the ends. the vision may be the same but its about how we get there.

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14
Q

Revolutionary socialists on equality

A
  • Demand absolute equality (in terms of opportunity and outcome)
  • Abolishment of private property
    • Replacement with common ownership of all means of production.
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15
Q

Social democrats on equality

A

Relative equalising of society within reformed capitalist economy via welfare measures, government spending and progressive taxation to remove absolute poverty.

Equality of opportunity more than equality of outcome.

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16
Q

Absolute equality definition and who wants/doesn.t want it

A

Everyone who contributes to society will receive the same rewards. Over time everyone’s contribution will be equal.

Marxists support it, whereas social democrats and the third way think its impractical

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17
Q

Equality of outcome definition and who wants/doesnt want it

A

People’s experience of society should be more or less the same - social and economic equality

Supported by fundamentalist socialists who reject capitalism, but rejected by social democrats and third way

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18
Q

Equality of opportunity definition and who wants/doesnt want it

A

Everyone has an equal chance to make the best of their abilities, with no barriers - just work hard and have talent

Supported by the Third Wayonmeritocratic grounds, but Marxists criticise it because it doesn’t remove capitalism and Social Democrats criticise as it doesn’t promote social justice

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19
Q

Universal welfare definition and who wants/doesnt want it

A

Society might be unequal but all individuals have an equal minimum standard of living guarenteed by state provisions.

Social democrats support as it protects the most vulnerable, but Marxists don’t support it as it doesnt dismantle capitalism and the Third Way don’t support it as they support targeted welfare

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20
Q

Marxist views on class

A

Class position is determined by relationship to the means of production.

Conflict between the owners of productive wealth (bourgeoise/capitalists) and those who sell labour to survive (proletariat). The bourgeoise use the state to maintain their dominance.

Eventually class conflict leads to a proletarian revolution which overthrows capitalism - leaving a classless, equal society and the state withers away.

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21
Q

Social democrats views on class

A

Define social class more flexibly, emphasising income and status differences between non manual and manual jobs.

Socialist objectives can be achieved through targeted government intervention.

The state provides welfare to reduce class inequalities but reject any revolution or violence.

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22
Q

Socialist justification for workers control

A

Human nature - promotes collective effort and group interests.

Economy - workers are the most important element in economic production, they should have the right to control it.

Society - important step towards socialist society.

The state - collective action ensures a fairer distribtion of goods than free-market forces

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23
Q

Criticism of workers’ control

A

Businesses don’t just rely on workers, they depend on people investing and spending money.

Workers may not have entrepreneurial qualities necessary and may lack managerial expertise.

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24
Q

Revolutionary Socialism: what is it, who supported it and why?

A

This is overthrowing the existing system

Marx thought a class conscious proletariat would stage a revolution and overthrow capitalism, because of exploited and politically alienated workers, poverty and horrible conditions.

Gradual change will not lead to a socialist society because the ruling class and bourgeoise values are too entrenched within the capitalist state and society

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25
Q

The difference between fundamentalist regimes and true socialism

A

Fundamentalists (like in the USSR) replace private property with state ownership not common ownership.

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26
Q

What is social democracy? and 4 things it assumes of capitalism

A

Form of democracy that wishes to reconcile capitalism with state intervention

It is based on 4 assumptions:

  1. Capitalism creates wealth, but distributes unfairly.
  2. State intervention in economic affairs protects the public and makes up for capitalisms weaknesses.
  3. Peaceful constitutional methods should bring about change.
  4. Socialism is morally superior to capitalism and should prioritise social justice.
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27
Q

Define a free market economy

A

The market is regulated by supply and demand (market forces) with very little to none state intervention.

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28
Q

Who championed Social Democracy?

A

Anthony Crosland

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29
Q

What is social democracy in practice?

A
  • A mixed economy; with only the key strategic industries nationalised.
  • Keynesian economics - reform, not removal - of capitalism to redistribute wealth and tackle extreme poverty.
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30
Q

Define Keynesian economics

A

A system of economic management where the state directly intervenes to stimulate the economy to achieve full employment and economic growth.

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31
Q

Define Dirigisme

A

State run capitalism

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32
Q

What is the Third Way?

A

‘Middle ground’ alternative to traditional social democracy in the context of globalised economy.

Advocates primacy of the market, community and competition.

First introduced in New Labour under Blair.

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33
Q

Who championed The Third Way?

A

Anthony Giddens

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34
Q

Evaluation of the third way

A
  • It lacks real socialist content and is essentially just rebranded to attract middle class voters
  • Have influenced various other third way parties.
  • Electorally successful in New Labour
  • Improved the position of some in society, eg minimum wage and family tax credits.
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35
Q

The role of the economy and state in Marxism

A
  • Econ - common ownership, no private property.
  • State- withers away and becomes non-existent
    • With no private property, the state have nothing they need to control.
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36
Q

The role of economy and state in democratic socialism

A
  • Economy - state-owned public goods, workers own factories (co-op)
  • State - elections and free press to ensure democracy
    • no ugly revolutions
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37
Q

The role of economy and state in Social democracy

A
  • Economy - capitalism but with a big safety net.
    • welfare and high taxes
    • not for the rich to get richer
  • State - liberal democracy, intervention as needed.
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38
Q

The role of economy and state in the third way

A
  • Economy - free market, neo-liberalism, aim to achieve social justice, equality of outcome
    • privatising industry is meant to improve competition and make the service better.
  • State - as small as possible
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39
Q

Define revisionism

A

A policy of modification - an evolutionary socialist approach, believing capitalism can be reformed and revised.

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40
Q

Explain the superstructure and base

A

Superstructure - ideas/values. Things that have nothing to do with the production of society’s wealth.)

Base (private property) everything needed to produce a society’s wealth; forces of production Eg (land, factories, materials etc.)

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41
Q

What is historical materialism?

A

Marx - historical and social institutions develop only as the superstructure to the economic system (capitalism)

The base (i.e. the mode of production) influences or conditions all other aspects of society, such as class.

42
Q

Explain: Thesis, Antithesis and Synthesis

A

Thesis and antithesis - the two opposing components of debate and following a lot of struggle you reach syntheis

synthesis - the new thesis/truth (for Marx - communism)

43
Q

Explain the dialectic

A

Marx - the process that drives social change.

Through debate and struggle (class conflict) the two opposing ideas (thesis and antithesis) allows the truth to emerge (the synthesis)

44
Q

Apply the dialectic in economic/class terms

A

Each state of history has its own economic system and class structure. within each stage, dialectical change is propelled by the struggle between the exploiters and the exploited or the rich and the poor.

For Marx, this eventually ends in an established communist society.

45
Q

Explain class consciousness

A

Marx - A stage along the course of human development at which the proletariat becomes fully aware of their exploitation.

They must become determined to pursue interests and overthrow the bourgeoise.

46
Q

What is Marx’s defintion of class?

A

People’s relationship to the means of production

47
Q

Marx’s defintion of exploitation

A

Workers are paid less than the value of what they produce to make money for owners of capital.

48
Q

Quote from Marx about social class and class conflict

A

“the history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles”

49
Q

The 2 main concepts of Marx’ argument

A
  1. Social class is central to socialism
  2. Human nature is changeable and socially determined by economics
50
Q

What is the reserve army of labour?

A

Capitalists can extract maximum level of surplus value/profit because any worker unhappy with low wages can easily be replaced by another.

51
Q

What is the proletarian dictatorship?

A

Marx - time period between abolishing capitalism where there is a dictatorship

52
Q

What is false consciousness?

A

Opposite state that you have prior to class consciousness, where you of yourself as a single entity in competition with others in your class rather than a unified group

53
Q

What is Marx’s belief on owning/working?

A

Power should come from working, not owning things, as it is more valuable

54
Q

What is Marx’s point on the individual vs the community?

A

The state will always embody the interests of the community, but when the interests of the individual conflict we may feel like we dont want to cooperate or our interests are not represented.

This is because the system is broken. In pure communism your interests = interests of the community, because everyone is equal.

55
Q

What will happen after the revolution? (Marx)

A
  • No immediate transition to communism
  • Transitionary period to prevent counter revolution (proletariat dictatorship)
  • Class antagonisms will gradually disappear
  • State will wither away, leaving classless communism.
56
Q

Marx on human nature

A
  • We are essentially social beings whose behaviour is influenceable by social and economic factors.
  • We are social, rational and cooperative.
  • Communism is beneficial for humans they are freed from negatives of capitalism and get to enjoy more activities and leisure. If someone can not do something, someone else will cover for them as they know the person will for them.
57
Q

4 main ways in which Luxemburg deviates from Marx

A
  1. Rejection of the view that capitalism is a necessary stage on the path to communism.
  2. A rejection of the ‘proletarian dictatorship’ phase in the transition between capitalism and communism. She was an avid supporter of liberal democracy, free speech and elections.
  3. Protofeminist narrative; where she identifies gender inequalities that Marx doesnt.
  4. Rejects the idea of state completely diminishing.
58
Q

Marx and Luxemburg on society

A

Individual competition and class divisions will disappear once a communist society is established.

59
Q

Luxemburg opinion on historical materialism

A

Less developed societies do not need to experience capitalism instead class consciousness should be brought about by class struggle and striking, instead of waiting for it.

60
Q

Is luxemburg revolutionary or evolutionary?

A

Revolutionary - she ritiqued evolutionary because it would leave the capitalist system intact.

61
Q

Luxemburg on democracy

A
  • Massive supporter of democracy
  • Rejected the proletarian dictatorship.
    • Was extremely worried about dictatorship after revolution and thought communism must have democracy to work.
  • Rejected Lenin’s desire for a small leadership party to lead the workers after revolution because it could become dictatorship.
62
Q

Luxemburg on state

A

Believes that it should be small but existent like a series of localised governements.

63
Q

Luxemburg quote about need for revolution and no need for capitalism

A
  • “In the middle of the fight, we learn how we must fight”
  • Shows her critique of Marx’s opinion that capitalism is necessary on the way to communism.
64
Q

Who did Webb think should be in power from transition between capitalism?

A
  • Unlike Marx, Webb believed workers weren’t suited to rule the country in the transition
  • She thought experts should run it; eg economists, sociologists etc.
65
Q

Was Webb a revolutionary or evolutionary socialist?

A

Evolutionary

66
Q

Summarise 4 of Webb’s beliefs/actions

A
  • State should be expanded but not overthrown
  • Wrote the original clause 4 of Labour constitution - nationalisation.
  • Gradual change is preferable to “bloodshed and chaos” of revolution
  • Supported a welfare state
67
Q

What group did Webb co-found

A

Fabian Society

68
Q

Webb’s two key ideas

A
  1. The ‘inevitability of gradualness’ - establishing socialism peacefully through democratic reforms and legislation.
  2. The ‘economic side of democracy’ - the expansion, not the destruction of the state will deliver socialism.
69
Q

Webb’s beliefs on human nature (2)

A
  • IMPERFECT - Workers were limited, selfish and uninformed - so democracy should be representative. (ie elected officials making decisions)
  • Representative democracy was preferable to direct democracy because it would lead to a skilled socialist governing class subject to democratic constraints.
70
Q

Webb’s belief about the state

A

Gradual growth of state power was evidence that collectivism would bring in a new scoialist eage.

71
Q

Clause 4 of Labour Constitution

A

Committing them to nationalisation and common ownership, which Blair removed when he became leader.

72
Q

What type of socialist was Anthony Crosland, and what do they believe?

A

A social democrat / revisionist

He doesn’t have a problem with private property - capitalism is not the enemy, just needs to be reformed.

73
Q

What was Anthony Crosland’s main goal?

A

Social justice and equality:

Ending poverty Improve the lives of working class people, through welfare and public services

74
Q

What did Crosland support and not support?

A

Supported: education reforms, meritocracy, ‘state managed capitalism’ (dirigisme)

Didn’t support nationalisation because it wouldn’t benefit the economy.

75
Q

2 of Crosland’s main ideas

A
  1. Modern capitalism lacks inherent contradictions: which is required to drive a revolution.
  2. State managed capitalism: the state much manage it to deliver social equality - must have distribution of rewards, status and privileges to remove class barriers.
76
Q

Crosland on the economy (2)

A
  1. Gov should pursue keynesian economics to maintain high employment, ensure low inflation and promote continuous growth. instead of collapsing (marx)
  2. Capitalism has risen living standards, so economic expansion is required to fund welfare to improve living standards for working class.
77
Q

Crosland on the state

A

High levels of gov spending is required for redistribution of wealth.

78
Q

Crosland on meritocracy

A

Defended meritocracy more than other more radical thinkers as he believed that, without incentive and rewards, people wouldn’t try and earn money.

79
Q

Crosland on Equality

A

Wants equality of opportunity and ‘democratic equality’

80
Q

Crosland on education

A

Hugely committed to equal education for everyone and worked hard to try and abolish grammar schools.

81
Q

What strand does Giddens belong to?

A

Third way

82
Q

Gidden’s 2 key ideas

A
  1. Rejection of state intervention: social democracy must be modernised due to the impact of globalisation, new knowledge of economics ad a more individual aspirations.
  2. The ‘social investment state’: rejected the social engineering that underpinned state welfare and redistribution programmes.
83
Q

Giddens on the economy

A
  • Free market is the most efficient system and encourages good qualities like responsibility.
  • Aimed to avoid punitive taxes
  • Welfare should be ‘mended not ended’ - active welfare
  • Help everyone become rich through equality of opportunity.
84
Q

Giddens on human nature

A
  • Naturally individualistic but must support community.
  • Community and responsibility essential to capitalism being nice, rather than class conflict.
  • important to offset the negative effects of capitalism and promote social cohesion and responsibility.
85
Q

Giddens on the state

A
  • State welfare fosters a culture of dependency, so instead ‘social investment’ is needed, a contract between the state and the citizen.
  • The state benefits from growth so must invest in physical + social infrastructure and education, and people must take advantage of this and help themselves.
  • State needs to provide equality of opportunity.
86
Q

Quote to summarise Giddens opinion on welfare

A

“Hand up not a hand-out”

87
Q

Overall socialist agreement on human nature

A

Generally all believe humans are naturally altruistic and cooperative.

We are all working towards a ‘common humanity’.

Economic determinism - our behaviour is determined by our economic and material conditions.

88
Q

Overall socialist disagreements on human nature

A

Disagree on ways our community looks like in practice.

  • Rev socialists (Marx and Luxembourg): no state really necessary and all share common humanity.
  • Ev Socialists (Webb): Common ownership but managed by democratic elite because workers are unequipped.
  • Social dems (Crosland): reformed capitalism, mixed economy - keynesian and welfare state.
  • Third way (Giddens): stronger emphasis on individualism, encouraging equality of oppurtunity, self reliance, targeted welfare, capitalism not the enemy.
89
Q

Summarise revolutionary socialism in 7 lines and give the two key thinkers associated with it

A

Marx and Luxembourg

  1. the destruction of the capitalist system
  2. the overthrow of the existing world order
  3. the ‘creation’ of a socialist state
  4. total state control over the economy
  5. a dictatorship of the proletariat (for marx)
  6. common ownership
90
Q

Summarise democratic socialism in 4 lines and give the key thinker associated with it

A

Beatrice Webb

  1. the replacement of the capitalist system by a socialist system
  2. a socialist state can evolve from current systems without revolution
  3. a socialist state will be achieved by socialist parties winning electoral majorities
  4. nationalisatio nand common ownership
91
Q

Summarise social democracy in 7 lines and give the key thinker associated with it

A

Anthony Crossland

  1. rationality
  2. evolutioinary socialism
  3. operating within current political structures
  4. a mixed economy with major state involvement
  5. nationalisatioin
  6. keynesian economics
  7. persauding voters of the benefits of socialism through social justice
92
Q

Summarise Third way in 4 lines and give the key thinker associated with it

A

Anthony Giddens

  1. a greater focus on equality of opportunity rather than equality of outcome
  2. Free market capitalism of the economy to provide more money for public spending
  3. privatisation over nationalisation
  4. a greater focus on social and political equality, as well as economic equality
93
Q

Summarise Marx’s view on human nature, the state, society and economy

A

Human nature: humans are social creatures, but this has been damaged by capitalism.

State: existing governments need to be destroyed and replaced by a socialist state.

Society: society should be classless

Economy: collective ownership

94
Q

Summarise Luxemburg’s view on human nature, the state, society and economy

A

Human nature: social cohesion exists within social classes.

State: existing governments need to be destroyed and replaced by
a workers-based society of true democracy.

Society: sub-cultures provide a model for future societies.

Economy: capitalism can only be replaced by an economy based on workers’ control.

95
Q

Summarise Webb’s view on human nature, the state, society and economy

A

Human nature: capitalism should be replaced by an evolutionary process, workers are limited, selfish and uninformed - so democracy should be representative.

State: universal suffrage was the key to creating a socialist state.

Society: poverty should be tackled as a priority.

Economy: gradual replacement of capitalism by common ownership of the means of production.

96
Q

Summarise Crosland’s view on human nature, the state, society and economy

A

Human nature: humans naturally oppose inequality.

State: existing systems can be used to create a socialist state.

Society: the class system is complex and many do not fit into class distinctions.

Economy: a mixed economy

97
Q

Summarise Gidden’s view on human nature, the state, society and economy

A

Human nature: social fairness is combined with self- fulfilment.

State: government power should be decentralised.

Society: socialists must work with the middle classes, not oppose them.

Economy: a neo-liberal economy to provide for welfare programmes.

98
Q

Marxists on class

A
  • Mark/Luxemberg - believe class is single biggest division (shapes human nature, economic determinism, false consciousness) MUST BE ABOLISHED
  • Class system oppresses impluses of collectivism and fraternity.
  • no private property for Marx/Luxemburg
  • Worker/state run economy for Webb.
99
Q

Giddens and Crosland on Class

A

Giddens - Class is there but its not as big of a factor of inequality as gender or race and we should tackle those first.

Economony - Neither Crosland or Giddens believe in abolishing capitalism, Crosland believes in a mixed economy, meritocracy, equality of outcome, state intervention and keynesian economy.

Whereas Giddens believes that class has become almost meaningless and we should be aware of other impacts on equality.

100
Q

Distinctions between revisionists on Class

A
  • They disagree on how to eliminate class devisions.
  • Eg Evolutionary/revolutionary.
    • Democracy/Dictatorship
101
Q

Fundamentalists v Revisionists on Self interest/human nature

A

Fundamentalists - Humans are not naturally selfish, capitalism opresses our altruistic side but communism would let self interest come out as caring.

Revisisionists - Humans are more naturally selfish and therefore a capitalist economy works best as it encourages competitiveness and would generate the best meritocracy for society.

UK Politics (10 decks)

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