socialists and human nature Flashcards
all S have an optimistic, collectivist view of human nature
-believe in common humanity & a non-individualistic, optimistic view of human nature.
-supported by belief in collectivism -collective action of individuals is of greater moral & practical value to society than individual effort.
-principle of fraternity-mutual aid, shared responsibilities & communal bonds. -ppl are at their best when working collaboratively for the common good
-humans motivated by betterment of society, not material self-improvement
-Luxemburg -emphasised strength of fraternity in w/c communities & saw TUs as a manifestation of common humanity & collectivism
-TU struggle made w/c increasingly aware of shared oppression & collective power.
-‘the w/cs in every country only learn to fight in the course of their struggles’
-believe that inherently co-operative, communal nature of humanity is held back by ‘false consciousness’ under capitalism, but believe it can completely flourish under communist following the withering away of the state.
-Marx argued resources & power-distributed equitably among all members according to need & individuals contribute to society based on ability.
-‘from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs’
-social dems & 3rd way advocate for importance of community & natural
-Giddens believed in a modern globalised world, class distinctions become less relevant & there’s a new sense of social cohesion & collective identity that transcended class lines.
agree - human nature is malleable
-human nature isn’t static, its malleable shaped by social/econ systems which ppl live.
-human nature can only be understood in reference to society that surrounds them
-Marx -‘the human essence is no abstraction inherent in each single individual. in it’s reality its the ensemble of the social relations’
-rev S-human nature under capitalism-competitive & aggressive but it isn’t humans inherent nature-cooperation, just a response to the environment.
-optimistic view abt poss for change, they argue by reconstructing society & econ to emphasise collective welfare & reduce comp, humans can realise a more authentic cooperative alturistic nature.
-social dems & 3rd way -less radical & more individualistic view of the malleability of H.N & poss for improvement -but still-emphasis on education.
-crosland-emphasises equal of opp-education-introed comprehensive education as sec of state & ‘destroy every f-ing grammar schl in the country’
-Blair -main focus in govt-‘education, education, education’
-so all in society have the opp to improve themselves & skills to succeed.
disagree over whether common humanity can be realised within capitalism
-can common huamity be relsied in capitalism or does it have to be abolished for society to flourish
-rev S-capitalism distorts & supresses natural positive tendencies of H.N.
-competitive & selfish H.N in capitalism driven by relentless pursuit of profit in market driven econ.
-Marx -false consciousness-w/c misguided to accept capitalist system as natural, undermining intrinsic cooperative spirit of humanity.
Luxembourg -capitalism divides workers & communities-battle for econ survival, only in TUism & direct action in the struggle for eradication of capitalism could false consciousness be overcome to achieve class consciousness & fraternity.
-rev S-capitalism-main prob in H.N, so advocate eradication of capitalist system.
-argue common humanity can only fully emerge under communism, a system where MoP-collectively owned & democratic control of society is established.
social dems & 3rd way disagree capitalism has to be replaced for common humanity to flourish
-social dems -reform & humanise capitalist system
-negative aspects of capitalism e.g income inequality, exploitation & social division -mitigated through Keynesianism, mixed econ, extensive social welfare programmes & redistribution.
-measures -essential for allowing +ve H.N-cooperation, alturism & community to flourish even within capitalist framework.
-more equitable society-benefits of E.G-shared more widely & fundamental needs of all individuals are met -nurturing collective well-being.
-Crosland -20th c-no longer exploitation of proletariat by bourgeoisie, instead more complex-w new social classes like managerial & professional.
-in this changed context H.N could thrive & equality-pursued without overthrow of capitalism.
-3rd way -even further from rev S.
-recognise capacity for social mobility & cooperation but focus on individualism.
-don’t see human nature as fundamentally flawed under capitalism & don’t see radical overhaul of econ & society as necessary to foster +ve H.N.
-advocate smaller measures to promote human potential -safety net & education
-underpinned by view -providing ppl w tools for personal development enables them to realise potential in existing socio-econ framework.
conc
overall agree more than disagree
-optimistic view of H.N
-malleable
-disagree on common humanity within capitalism
