Socialism: Types Flashcards
What is revolutionary socialism?
**Rejects democratic changes **
Favours revolution to achieve socialism by addressing:
* poverty
* unemployment
* worker exploitation
Why does revolutionary socialism reject gradual change?
Bourgeoisie benefit themselves
proletariat excluded from political decisions
-> makes gradual change ineffective
examples of revolutionary socialism in history.
Russia (1918-21)
Mexico (1910-20).
What is the result of revolutionary socialism where it has occurred?
Often results in state ownership rather than common ownership
-> skepticism about effectiveness
Who popularized social democracy and when?
Clement Attlee
post WW2
What is social democracy?
Seeks to reform capitalism rather than overthrow it
Focuses on social justice and fair wealth distribution
What are the three key elements of social democracy in practice?
Mixed economy -> nationalise key industries
Keynesian economics-> regulate capitalism
Reform-> distribute wealth through welfare
Feature of The Third Way: Primacy of the market:
Dynamic market economics max wealth creation
What is the Third Way?
Neo-revisionism
middle ground between social democracy and neo-liberalism
Advocate for community/consensus/market primacy/competition state
What is revisionism in the context of social democracy?
Belief that capitalism can be reformed to protect the public and distribute wealth fairly
Feature of The Third Way:
Community and responsibility
Emphasises mutual dependency and communitarian liberalism
Feature of The Third Way:
Support consensus and harmony
Advocates for gradual change
Feature of The Third Way: Promotes inclusion over equality
Focuses on equality of opportunity rather than meritocracy
Feature of The Third Way:
Advocates a competition state:
Emphasises education and economic growth over an enabling state
What is the main difference between social democracy and revolutionary socialism?
SD: seeks to reform capitalism
RS: seeks to overthrow capitalism
