Socialism - Workers' control 3.1

Question 1

what is ‘workers’ control’

Answer 1

complete or partial ownership of an economic enterprise by those employed there

Question 2

what does workers’ control imply

Answer 2

provide full democratic control on working people

Question 3

which branches of socialism do we see adopting ‘workers’ control’

Answer 3

• Marxism
• Syndicalism

Question 4

how is ‘workers’ control’ a key socialist idea

Answer 4

• promotes collectivism
• maximises human potential (no alienation)
• controls production so should have right to production as well
• done to dilute capitalist economy
  less inequality

Question 5

CASE STUDY - Russian Revolution

Answer 5

-economy collapsed after WW1
- workers factory committees replaced managers (40% by OCT 1917)
-‘Decree of Workers’ control’ -> more power to committees
-Lenin paranoid and takes away power and gives more power to state

Question 6

CASE STUDY - Guild Socialism in Britain

Answer 6

-gained momentum in early 20th Century -> more workers’ in control of war industries
-advocate state ownership by democratically run guilds
-collapsed in 1920’s

Question 7

CASE STUDY - Syndicalism in France

Answer 7

-1890’s
-influenced by ‘Georges Sorel’ => general strikes only way to secure working class objectives
-Syndicalists wanted industries run by trade union
-Influenced ideal to: Italy, Spain and USA