Socialism - Society

Question 1

what is the main disagreement for socialists over society?

Answer 1

importance of class in society

Question 2

what did Rosa Luxembourg argue about society?

Answer 2

evolutionary socialism not possible as capitalism is based on economic exploitation

Question 3

what did Rosa Luxembourg say about the proletariat?

Answer 3

• essential for proletariat to achieve revolution

- proletariat struggler for reform leads to class consciousness

Question 4

what did Rosa Luxembourg argue about class in society?

Answer 4

• she argued that class is essential in society

- need to achieve revolution to make a classless society

Question 5

what did Anthony Crossland think about society?

Answer 5

believed class far less important than once before - argued in his book ‘the future of socialism’

Question 6

how did Anthony Crossland argue capitalism had changed? what did this mean for society?

Answer 6

• capitalism had radically changed
• no longer internal tensions to drive change in society
• class divisions not as wide

Question 7

what do marxists think about society?

Answer 7

• social class explains the most important division in society
• class a hugely important factor in society

Question 8

what do marxists think class is based on?

Answer 8

economic divisions between capital and labour

Question 9

what do marxists think class relationship is determined by?

Answer 9

-class relationship is determined by relationship to means of production

Question 10

what do, according marxists, bourgeoisie use the state for? what does it lead to?

Answer 10

• bourgeoisie use state as an instrument of class rule
• splits society into haves and have nots
• leads to revolution in society

Question 11

how do social democrats see class?

Answer 11

• far less important
• class is more fluid - not jus lower and upper class
• rise of middle class
• due to service industries nad deindustrialisation

Question 12

what do social democrats recognise about society? how can this be helped?

Answer 12

• recognise that society has inequalities
• but can be reduced by a welfare state
• help redistribute as capitalism redistributes unfairly

Question 13

where is there some agreement between socialists about class?

Answer 13

societies with inequalities are unstable

Question 14

what do marxists think brings huge inequalities? what is needed to cover for this?

Answer 14

• capitalism brings huge inequalities
• this is why revolution is needed
• in order to stabilise society

Question 15

what fo social dems think about inequality and society? what does this lead them to push for?

Answer 15

• if inequality is too great, society will be unstable

- leads them to push for welfare redistribution and Keynesian economics

Question 16

for social dems, what will state intervention bring to society ?

Answer 16

• bring more equality in society by helping most vulnerable

- helps to bring true social equality

Question 17

what view does third way reject?

Answer 17

• that inequalities in class leads to unstable society

- stress that inequality and class distinctions are fine

Question 18

what do third way push for?

Answer 18

more social harmony and inclusion