Socialism - Topic 1 Flashcards
Core ideas and principles of Socialism and how they relate to human nature, the state, the economy and society
Describe the core principle of common humanity
Socialists find pleasure and fulfilment in work that focuses on cooperation and collectivism rather than individualism and competition. Underpinning this common humanity is a belief in fraternity and community. Socialists are united in their concern about the ffect that unchecked capitalism can have on the individual. This leads them to argue for an interventionist role of the state.
What is a revolutionary socialist’s attitude towards common humanity?
Argues that individuals are deformed as money corrupts those who possess it. Capitalism must be abolished by revolution started by the working class. Afterwards, a classless communist society would form in which all social and economic activities would be done collectively, therefore enjoying common humanity.
What is a social democrat’s attitude towards common humanity?
Argues that capitalism should be reformed and not replaced. They support a mixed economy of both nationalised state industry and privately owned companies, state intervention based on Keynesianism to ensure permanent full employment and economic growth and the welfare state to redistribute wealth and challenge poverty and social inequality.
What is a Third Way’s attitude towards common humanity?
Aruges that developed economies face new challenges and increasingly emphasises on equality of opportunity via public services, specifically education. Third Way believes in neo-liberal ideas such as the free-market and self-reliance and they prefer to move away from universal welfare to means-tested welfare.
Describe the core principle of collectivism
Socialism’s positive view of human nature perceives people as naturally social creatures. Collectivism prioritises the group over the individual by believing in:
- preferring to work together rather than independently
- the will to work far more effectively within groups than by individual actions
What is a revolutionary socialist’s attitude towards collectivism?
Workforces would collectively own all industry and all agencies of society would be communal. One major piece of centralised state planning and collectivisation is in nationalisation and policy on agricultural land.
What is a social democrat’s attitude towards collectivism?
Social democrats believe workers should belong to trade unions that have strong bargaining rights to stop exploitation. A national health service should provide universal care according to need, free, paid for by general taxation. There should be widespread comprehensive state education for all and key industries should be brought under government control and operate in the collective interest of all
What is a Third Way’s attitude towards collectivism?
Unions should exist to preserve fair practice in the workplace however there must be recognition that wages are market driven. They advocate for healthcare reform, recognising that the cost of universal healthcare is unsustainable and instead supports prescription charges and private healthcare for the rich to ‘jump the queue’ for non-essential healthcare. There should be more equality of opportunity and spending in education. The free market is the most efficacious way to run business and do not support the renationalisation of state industries.
Describe the core principle of equality
Equality is a multifaceted concept that causes tension and disagreement, however, all agree on three aspects of equality:
- foundational equality
- equality of opportunity
- the rejection of natural hierarchies
What is a revolutionary socialist’s attitude towards equality?
What is a social democrat’s attitude towards equality?
What is a Third Way’s attitude towards equality?
Describe the core principle of social class
What is a revolutionary socialist’s attitude towards social class?
What is a social democrat’s attitude towards social class?
What is a Third Way’s attitude towards social class?
Describe the core principle of workers’ control
What is a revolutionary socialist’s attitude towards workers’ control?
What is a social democrat’s attitude towards workers’ control?
What is a Third Way’s attitude towards workers’ control?
