Socialist Thinkers: Abolition of Capitalism / Economy

Question 1

Crosland on nationaliation

Answer 1

“Nationalisation … does not itself engender greater equality, more jobs in the regions, higher investment or industrial democracy”. This is because his Revisionist beliefs rejected the view that socialism ought to be primarily identified with the common ownership of means of production; therefore continuous nationalisation was not a central goal.

Question 2

Giddens on nationalisation

Answer 2

The ‘left-should get comfortable with markets’ because the free-market economy was not only the most efficient system of production but also encouraged desirable personal qualities such as responsibility. Therefore, nationalisation isn’t conducive to this. He also agreed with Crosland that ‘top-down’ state intervention in the economy was bad because it was now both inefficient and ineffective.

Question 3

Webb on nationalisation

Answer 3

Believed that an incremental approach to change on the basis of socialist principles is preferable to the bloodshed and chaos implied by far-left revolutionaries like Marx and Lenin. Therefore, she firmly believed that the risk of blood and tears could be avoided when a technocratic elite was allowed to “impregnate all the existing forces of society”. Thus, an expanded state containing all nationalised industries would’ve been most appropriate.

Question 4

Giddens on the welfare-state

Answer 4

Pro-reform and passionately believed in the re-structuring of the welfare system, so as to be mended rather than ended. Third Way’ thinking in which the welfare system would be restructured in order to give people a ‘hand-up, not a hand out’.

Rooted in his criticisms of the leftist approach to welfare policy, with emphasis on universality and recipients claiming something for nothing. Therefore, he advocates more conditional modes of welfare like Job Seekers Allowance which incentivises activity.

Question 5

Webb on the welfare-state

Answer 5

Worked with all political parties in developing the post-war ‘welfare-state’. Among her many proposals were: a state education system available to all, a national healthcare system, and pensions for the elderly (Minority Report on The Poor Law).

Question 6

Marx and Luxemburg on the welfare-state

Answer 6

Opposed any notion of a welfare state due to their critical views on reform, claiming that it hampers revolutionary drive and will hamper the overthrow of capitalism. Therefore, as the welfare state serves to modify the existing capitalist system rather than destroy it, it is simply unacceptable.

Question 7

Marx and Luxemburg on private property

Answer 7

An economic system based upon private ownership allows for exploitation, and so a radically different economic system is required. Marx sought a fairer system which our natural humanity would flourish and find its rightful expression. Fraternity generated by an equitable distribution of wealth would free us from the environmental destructiveness and rampant consumerism of the capitalist economic system.

Question 8

Crosland on private property

Answer 8

Although he argued for some direct government ownership but within a system of predominantly private ownership.