Socialism (P-) Flashcards
What are the four strands of socialism?
-Revolutionary (Marxists)
-Democratic socialists (NOT NAMED ON SPEC)
-Social democrats
-Third Way
Who are the key thinkers of socialism?
-Marx & Engels
-Luxemburg
-Webb
-Crosland
-Giddens
What are the 5 core beliefs of socialism?
-Common humanity
-Collectivism
-Equality
-Social Class
-Common ownership/workers control
How do Marxists view human nature?
Fraternal creatures,
How do Socialists view collectivism?
Supports our human nature as collective actions are more effective than individual ones, common must rise up against the few, morally and economically superior
How do Socialists view equality?
Equality of outcome, and equal society more desirable than unequal but wealthier (apart from TW), resolving relative poverty - not just absolute
How do Rev socialists view equality?
Ending class struggle through radical change, which abolishes exploitation of workers in capitalism and the hierarchy it creates. Collective ownership of the means of production
How do Social democrats view equality?
Incremental reforms that gradually address inequalities, use of a welfare state, progressive taxation and market regulation to achieve equality through democratic processes.
How do the Third Way view equality?
Balance of market and state in free market, so individuals can equally compete. Inclusive growth, and social investments to provide fair opportunity
How do socialists view social class?
Somewhat agree that social class is the most significant divide in society, Marxists use this to argue for revolution
What does alienation mean? (Socialism)
WC feel disconnected to their products, instead working to live in capitalism system - which corrupts out common humanity and justifies the need for workers control (links to HN, econ)
What does exploitation mean? (Socialism)
WC exploited by the surplus value of their products, as they are sold for a profit and undervalue wc - does not uphold equality, justifies need for workers control (links to econ, HN, state)
What is historical materialism? (Socialism)
History divided into economic episodes, each defined by the mode of production that creates conflict between proletariat and bourgeoisie, collectivism and equality not shown (links to econ, society)
How do revolutionary socialists view class divisions?
Class struggle and exploitation damages our HN and equality under capitalism, so it must be abolished through class consciousness
What is false class consciousness?
Proletariat are prevented from realising their own oppression due to increased opportunities and consumerism - Marxists would argue the means of production has not changed while later socialists would disagree
How do social democrats view social class?
Recognition of class inequality and reducing it through the welfare state and redistribution policies - greater EoOutcome but not full, aim to reduce discrimination not just class
How do Third Way view social class?
Acknowledge class differences and aim to create opportunities to participate in economy (EoOpportunity), enhancing education rather than welfare and importance on social cohesion and communitarianism
What is communitarianism?
Giddens - we are individuals but our identity is shaped by community relationships (rather than class as other believe), so HN is not entirely fraternal
How do rev socialists propose to solve class division? (means)
Revolutionary overthrow of capitalism system and the state (as a vehicle of capitalism), common ownership of means of production and socialist state that would ‘wither away’
What did Marx say work would be like in a communist state?
‘from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs’ - meaning work is based on natural talents, and those disadvantaged would need more help
How do social democrats propose to solve class division? (means)
Policies that give equal opp regardless of social class, robust welfare state and progress taxation to redistribute - incremental and gradual changes
How do the Third Way propose to solve class division? (means)
Social investment rather than redistribution, retaining laissez-faire in reforms so markets are fair & competitive, reforming existing system with incremental adjustments, encouraged individuals while providing a safety net for disadvantaged
How do rev socialists view common ownership?
-Private property should be abolished
-Workers no longer exploited as they own the means of production and are not alienated from surplus value
How do social democrats view common ownership?
Public spending, not public ownership - nationalisation of some key industries to protect workers, and reinvest profit into welfare state
How do the Third Way view common ownership
Do not agree with common ownership or nationalisation - private sectors will grow and boost productivity, allowing more taxation to redistribute wealth
How do rev socialists view workers control?
alienates workers and makes them powerless - should have more control over their work so capitalism must be abolished
How do social democrats view workers control?
Control or managing capitalism via trade unions so profit isnt the only factor considered, control can be given through ballot (Webb)
How do Third Way view workers control?
improve transparency and accountability with corporate ownership, and employee participation - no mention of trade unions
How do rev socialists view the state?
Serves the interests of bourgeoisie because they own the means of production, limits of parliamentary action (Luxemburg) from illusion of power, will eventually ‘wither away’ with socialism after dictatorship of prolet
How do rev socialists view society?
comprised of bourgeoisie and proletariat - ‘class consciousness’ needed to remove inequality and focus on collectivism. Marx defined society through historical materialism
How do rev socialists view the economy?
Capitalism must be abolished through violent revolution, to avoid exploitation from surplus value, collectivism superior as less wasteful than free market
How do rev socialists view HN?
Fraternal, social creatures that are corrupted to be competitive through capitalism, work as a part of our ‘species-essences’ but now alienated
What are Webb’s main ideas? (Dem Social - not on spec)
-Expansion of state as a neutral influence
-Inevitability of gradualism through Parliamentary methods
-Consumer and Producer Cooperatives
-Abolition of Capitaism
What are Producer and Consumer Cooperatives? name the key thinker (Socialism)
Webb: Both needed to balance
Producer - businesses democratically controller by workers
Consumer - businesses owned by customers, more successful as decisions made by community rather than workers pursuing own interests, but may overlook workers rights
How do social democrats view the state?
Welfare state from public spending in a growing economy, central planning from state and steady expansion of power
How do social democrats view society? name the key thinker
Crossland argued that workers could no longer own the means of production due to complex products, aim of EoOpp - not nationalisation so people had social mobility, focus on comprehensive education
How do social democrats view the economy?
Keynesian economics for full employment and steady economic growth, public spending towards welfare state to achieve equality, state manages mixed economy, only taxes to prevent concentrated wealth
How do social democrats view human nature?
Collective effort to create social unity and work against discrimination to provide equal opportunity
How do the Third Way view the state?
Smaller role that provides basic welfare, more of a social investment than dependency (hand up not hand out)
How do Third Way view society?
Equality of opportunity, market reforms keep public interest in mind to maintain cohesive society, instead of ‘poverty trap’
How do Third Way view the economy?
Inequality of outcome is needed to create economic growth, increased privatisation, redistribution necessary while maintaining free-market to empower individuals
How do Third Way view HN?
Communitarianism, we are individuals but atomisation had fragmented communities, leaving us alienated - state needs to invest in infrastructure rather than economic management for HN to flourish
How did Giddens view communities? (TW Socialism)
In ‘Beyond Left and Right’ (1994) - highlighted corrosive effects of capitalism and individualism on community, yet they are irreversible so free-market was needed to empower individuals to create social cohesion
