SOCIALISM - Revolutionary strand Flashcards
What is another term of revolutionary socialism?
FUNDAMENTALIST SOCIALISM
Briefly explain Marx’s key ideas about historical materialism
Marx (and Engels) believed that socialist society could be brought about via historical materialism.
This explores class conflict.
They established the key feature of revolutionary socialism - necessary radical change would only come about via a proletarian revolution in a mass WC uprising.
What key quote of Marx from the Communist Manifesto highlights his understanding of a global revolution which would create world-wide communism?
‘Workers of all countries, unite. You have nothing to lose but your chains. You have a world to win’
How did revolutionary socialism spread?
Lenin adapted Marx’s ideas to carry out the Russian Revolution in 1917.
Mao Zedong did the same in China in 1949.
North Korea saw Communism in 1945
There was a Communist revolution in Cuba 1953
Why did communism decline?
All the communist regimes around the world never succeeded in introducing Marx’s vision for full social and economic equality.
None seemed to progress past the temporary phase of ‘dictatorship of the proletariat’
Communism retreated since the early 1990s with the collapse of the USSR.
What is the superstructure model?
This is where the economic base of capitalism is underpinned by ideas such as property, money, profit, supply, and demand.
These shape the superstructure of society - its culture, politics, law, ideology, science, and religion.
These ideas become the foundation of society and are reinforced by the state because whichever class controls the economic base, has power to shape society.
Class consciousness
Marx and Engels argue that humans are social and economic beings who have been contaminated by capitalism.
This has created a false consciousness, far removed from human’s original nature.
They argued that the proletariat would come to recognise their exploitation and become a revolutionary force. Revolution would be a spontaneous act, carried out by a proletarian class that would guide itself.
