Socialist Thinkers

Question 1

Who are the Five (/6) Key Socialist Thinkers?

Answer 1

• Marx and Engels
• Beatrice Webb
• Anthony Crosland
• Rosa Luxemburg
• Anthony Giddens

Question 2

What were the Key Ideas of Marx and Engels?

Answer 2

1800s - Marxists
The centrality of social class – historical materialism, dialectic change and revolutionary class consciousness.
Humans as social beings – how nature is socially determined and how true common humanity can be expressed only under communism

Question 3

What were the Key Ideas of Beatrice Webb?

Answer 3

1800/1900s - Social Democrat
The inevitability of gradualness’ – evolutionary socialism.
The expansion of the state – not the overthrow of the state, is critical in delivering socialism.

Question 4

What were the Key Ideas of Rosa Luxemburg?

Answer 4

1800/1900s - Marxist
Evolutionary socialism/revisionism is not possible as capitalism is based on an economic relationship of exploitation.
Struggle by the proletariat for reform and democracy – this creates the class consciousness necessary for the overthrow of the capitalist society and state.

Question 5

What were the Key Ideas of Anthony Crosland?

Answer 5

1900s - Social Democrat
Contradictions in capitalism does not drive social change -managed capitalism can deliver social justice and equality.
State-managed capitalism: includes the mixed economy, full employment and universal social benefits.

Question 6

What are the Key Ideas of Anthony Giddens?

Answer 6

1900-2000s - Third Way
Rejection of state intervention – yes to the free market in the economy, equality of opportunity over equality, responsibility and community over class conflict.
The role of the state – social investment in infrastructure and education, not economic and social engineering.