socialism state

Question 1

what do socialists believe about the state?

Answer 1

• rejection of anarchism
• rejection of medieval states
• an enalrged state?

Question 2

what do socialists believe about the rejection of anarchism?

Answer 2

• what makes socialism distinctive from anarchism is its belief that equality, and progress generally, are impossible without a strong state. for this reason, socialism may be described as state-sponsered egalitarianism
• some socislists like marx argued that eventually the state will wither away to be left with a utopia. however, even marx accepted that for the foreseeable future a strong state is required.

Question 3

what do socialists believe about the rejection of medieval states?

Answer 3

• socialists agree that the pre-enlightenment state is incompatible with the egalitarian society they envisage. consequently, they reject the monarchical state, the theocratic state and the aristocratic state.
• instead, socialists advocate a state where political power, as well as economic power, has been redistributed and where decision making reflects the principles of equality and fraternity

Question 4

what do socialists believe about an enlarged state?

Answer 4

• socialists also agree that the modern state should be extensive and pervasive,
• socialists believe that a libertarian state will simply allow further selfish individualism, further exploitation of the less fortunate and further inequality
• although there is disagreement between ortho sociliasts like webb and revisionists like crossland over whether the state should own the economy, socialists still agree that the state should enlarge and expand its involvement
• for socialists the only effective form of collectivisims is that embodied by the state including progressive taxation, greater public spending and universal public services (!!!!!!)