Socialist Key Thinkers Flashcards
Karl Marx
1818-1883
Karl Marx 1818-83 and Friedrich Engles 1820-95 books:
“the communist manifesto” 1948 and “Das Kapital” 1967
Marks and Engles on the contamination of human nature
They argued human nature had been contaminated by capitalism which encouraged selfishness, ruthlessness and greed. Capitalism had instilled in mankind a
Marx and Engles on the original human nature
The “false consciousness”, instilled by capitalism, was far removed from mankind’s original one, which was cooperative, selfless and fraternal. The task was to create a new, non capitalist economic system where human nature could flourish.
Marx and Engels on the social classes created by capitalism
Marx was the first socialist thinker to focus on social class. Together him and Engels argued capitalism created two economic classes: the bourgeoisie and the proletariat.
Marx and Engles: how did social class create instability
They argued different classes were far from harmonious-they involved harsh inequality of wealth and power. For this reason, capitalist societies were unstable and would eventually be overthrown by revolution which was “historically inevitable”.
Marx and Engles on surplus value
Capitalism usually sought to be competitive by creating “Surplus value”, where employers paid employees minimum wages, to gain profits to refine the line of production.
Marx and Engles: how would surplus value destroy capitalism
Surplus value would implant in capitalism “the seeds of its own destruction” by nurturing resentful class consciousness amongst workers, who would overthrow via revolution.
Marx and Engles: What would surplus value implant in capitalism?
Surplus value would implant in capitalism “the seeds of its own destruction
How did marx and Engles challenge the convention that the state was politically neutral?
the state would always serve the interests of whoever controlled the economy. Thus, the liberal state was “merely a committee” for the ruling capitalist class.
What did Marx and Engels say the state was for the ruling capitalist class?
“merely a committee” for the ruling capitalist class.
what did the state being, “merely a committee” for the ruling capitalist class mean would never be allowed?
the state would never allow for evolutionary socialism- it would have to come about via revolution.. This argument has been inspiring to Ralph Miliband 1924 to 94 and Tarick Ali 1943+, who ridiculed the parliamentary socialism championed by labour.
Marx and engles on revolution
Revolution was not just inevitable but essential and desirable. it would come about in a 10 step process.
who did Marx and engles think would rise up to rule after a revolution?
said in revolution an entirely new state would arise that would govern the interests of the new economically dominant class called the “dictatorship of the proletariat”.
what did Marx and engles say would happen after a revolution and the establishment of a dictatorship of the proletariat?
Once the alternative state had been established it would wither away and be replaced by communism: a stateless society involving common ownership and the principle of “from each according to his ability to each according to his needs”
Rosa Luxemburg
1871-1919
RL: Quote on the Bourgeoise
“Bourgeoise stands at the crossroads, either transition to socialism or regression to barbarism”
RL: Quote on socialism and democracy
“socialism without democracy is just tyranny by another name”
Rosa Luxemburg book:
Reform or Revolution 1900
Where did RL agree with Marx?
Accepted marks argument that capitalism promoted exploitation and was at odds with humanity’s natural fraternal instincts. She believed that the evolutionary path towards socialism was insufficient given the extent to which capitalism was built upon exploitation of the working-class
where did RL disagree with Marx?
Like Lenin she had little sympathy for Marx’s historicism and denied revolution would occur in a ten step programme. Her analysis of how revolution should come about distinguished her.
How did RL imagine a revolution?
she envisioned revolution arising spontaneously after class consciousness had gradually bring brought about through proletariat work. Must Strike action would develop spontaneously and from this would come wider revolution overthrowing the state
what key Marxist/Leninist idea did she disagree with?
the idea of revolution leading to dictatorship of the proletariat. Instead she advocated the immediate construction of New Democracy, underpinned by free elections, common ownership and debate.
RL views of Marxist internationalism:
Upheld internationalism by dismissing lenin’s interest in socialist nationalism, claiming it overlooked the transnational character of both capitalism and proletarianism. Socialist revolution should be more than a national regime; it should be a national rivers vault made true by groups such as the international socialist league.
Impact of the outbreak if the great war 1914 on RL ideology:
She stoutly opposed, it illustrated her concerns about nationalism. Disgusted by the SPD support of the Great War, Luxembourg left the party and began organising anti war demonstrations proclaiming that the enemy of socialism remains within our own country.
What party did Luxemburg stablish?
Luxembourg established the German Communist Party the KPD.
why did Marists/Leninists oppose the set up of the KPD?
Luxemburg though the KPD should contest elections to the post war German constituent assembly, this was though to be a betrayal of Marx’s rejection of evolutionary socialism and heretical compromised to the status quo.
Why did Luxemburg argue in favour of the KPD competing in elections?
Luxemburg argued that having a foothold in the existing political system made it easier for communists to convey the case for revolution to the proletariat voters.
What type of socialist’s are Marx, Engles and Luxemburg?
communists
Beatrix Webb
1858-1943
What type of socialist was Beatrix Webb?
Democratic socialist
Beatrix Webb’s four principles:
- capitalism was the cause of” crippling poverty and demeaning inequality” in society and a “corrupting force “ for humanity fostering “unnatural” levels of avarice and selfishness amongst humans.
- Neither paternalism nor philanthropy was a suitable solution to the problem of poverty and inequality.
- Poverty and inequality were the most likely to be eliminated through vigorous trade unionism and extensive state intervention.
- Effective reform tends to be gradual rather than revolutionary.
Webbs role in the Fabian Society:
an organisation committed to evolutionary socialism via reforms in Westminster. She was instrumental in the Fabians decision to align with the emerging Labour Party and drafting clause four of labour’s constitution in 1918- committing the party to common ownership.
when did Webb serve on the royal commission?
between 1905 and 1909
what did Webbs celebrated minority report argue that the state should guarantee?
“a sufficient nourishment and training when young, a living wage when able bodied, treatment when sick a modest but secure livelihood when disabled or aged” - anticipate the beverage report 42
Anthony Crosland
1918-1977
What type of socialist was Anthony Crosland?
Social democrat
Anthony Crossland book:
“the future of socialism” 1956
later books: the conservative enemy 1962 and socialism now 1974
What was Crosland’s controversial take on the extent to which public ownership had gone?
Contested that public ownership had gone far enough, arguing that public ownership had never been the main aim of socialism merely a method of achieving it. The true objective was equality which could now be achieved within a managed economy.
what had changes capitalism forever to make it compatible with communism according to Anthony Crossland?
Keynesian economics-which believed in state managed capitalism, becoming orthodox after 1945. it allowed countries to enjoy economic growth and full employment without requiring a serious extension of public ownership
What did Keynesian economics/capitalism allow societies to enjoy according to Anthony Crossland ?
Thanks to constant economic growth societies could enjoy steady expansion of the welfare state, which would advance into socialism.
Owing to economic change, how had society changed according to Anthony Crossland ?
it was less “binary”, less polarised between employers and employees and indefinitely more complex than Marx could have ever imagined. In particular, “new classes”, such as “managers and technocrats”, whose perspectives were likely to be different from traditional workers.
what did socialism kind of economy did socialism now require according to Anthony Crossland?
A mixed economy, which would mainly comprise of private enterprise and ownership alongside key services and a small number of industries owned by the state which had mostly been achieved at the labour government 1945 to 51.
What was the future of socialist governments now according to Anthony Crossland after the 1945-51 labour government?
The future of socialist governments was not more public ownership but public spending and better public services
In his later books, the conservative enemy 1962 and socialism now 1974, what issue did Crosland focus on?
Education
What would the comprehensive schools Crosland argue end/create?
Would end the segregation of pupils at age 11and cater for all abilities. These comprehensive schools would breakdown class divisions far more effectively than any extensive public ownership, while ensuring all pupils had equality of opportunity
When did Crossland preserve and initiate his idea of comprehensive schools?
While Secretary of State for education between 1965 and 1967. Initiating a process that made comprehensive education the norm by the time of his death.
Anthony Giddens
`1938+
What type of socialist was Anthony Giddens?
Revisionist socialist- Third way
Anthony Giddens book
beyond left and right 1994, the third way, the renewal of socail democracy 1997
how did Giddens establish himself as a socialist sympathiser in “beyond left and right”?
highlighting the corrosive effects of capitalism and individualism upon community and fraternity
how did Giddens feel about capitalism and induvidualism?
stressed that capitalism and individualism were irreversible and that any future projects towards greater equality would have to take account of this.
In “the 3rd way: the renewal of social democracy” 1997 what did he argue the survival of social democracy required?
Recognition that free market capitalism had a much capacity to empower individuals economically. However, capitalism functioned best when there was a strong sense of social cohesion, which neoliberalism seemed to overlook.
What was Giddens idea of “Triangulation”?
Reconciling neoliberalisms view of economics with social democracies view of society. This was required to make centre left politics relevant in the 20th century.
what was Triangulation important due to the emergence of?
“post Fordist capitalism”
Fordist capitalism:
Fordist capitalism developed, based on a uniformity of income and employment. Communities complemented human nature yearning for solidarity and fellowship giving each of their members a strong sense of support and identity which might then encourage them to challenge both economic and cultural elites.
Post Fordist society of the 20th and 2st century:
involving the decline of heavy industry-had fragmented such communities, “atomized” the modern workforce and left individuals feeling alienated.
What did Giddens feel about post Fordist capitalism?
Individuals would find it harder to develop, precisely because society was becoming increasingly amorphous and ill defined. Stripped of the communities that once gave them confidence, human beings were likely to be less sure footed and were more likely to be influenced by both economic and social elites. The great irony was that the “individualization” of society might actually result in less individualism.
If human nature was to flourish whilst retreating from economic management in the 21at century what would the state have to be?
be proactive investing in infrastructure and modernising the system of education.
how did Giddens prove himself a key revisionist socialist?
he revitalised the case for a further state action in the globalisation era of capitalism. In doing this he recognised the conventional Keynesian economics was an absolute.
