Society

Question 1

Introduction - Themes

Answer 1

• Social Class
• Equality
• Optimism

Question 2

Introduction - Argument

Answer 2

Whilst all socialists place emphasis on society’s role in influencing the individual, they all fundamentally disagree over the most significant aspect of society and what is best to solve these issues

Question 3

Social Class - Agree - Point

Answer 3

All socialists place major emphasis on the role of social class within society - they argue this defines an individual’s circumstances, prospects and attitudes. They argue that if these class divides are minimised society can be improved

Question 4

Social Class - Disagree - Point

Answer 4

Socialists cannot agree on what these social classes have emerged from, leading them to adopt different appraches on how to minimise divisions

Question 5

Social Class - Disagree - Example
(Revolutionary)

Answer 5

For Marx and Engels, social class was primarily economic, meaning it was based principally on employment and individual’s source of income. They felt that it was the ‘means of production’ which had a critical impact on the nature of society and in order to minimise divisions capitalism must be overthrown

Question 6

Social Class - Disagree - Example
(Third Way)

Answer 6

Crossland and Giddens felt that social class was not wholly economic and, as such, believed improvements could occur alongside private property and capitalism

Question 7

Equality - Agree - Point

Answer 7

The importance of social class to all socialists has meant that equality has also been adopted as an important part of society. All branches of socialism can agree that equality is important to try and curb the divisions that have emerged in society as a result of social class

Question 8

Equality - Disagree - Point

Answer 8

• Revolutioary socialists have taken the stance that in order to create a fairer society there must be equality of outcome
• Revisionist socialists argue that only equality of opportunity should be provided

Question 9

Equality - Disagree - Example
(Revolutionary)

Answer 9

Karl Marx and Rosa Luxemburg felt allowing inequality of outcome in one generation would lead to inequality of opportunity in the next and continue the class divisions within society. They felt equality of outomce would promote a fairer society

Question 10

Equality - Disagree - Example
(Third Way)

Answer 10

Giddens felt there need to be greater equality of opportunity, he argeud that his would promote greater racial, gender and sexual equality, bring humans closer

Question 11

Optimism - Agree - Point

Answer 11

In keeping with their faith in human potential, all socialists agure that society can be improved. They all untied around the argument that in order to perscribe a better society in the future, we must first diagnose the society we have today

Question 12

Optimism - Disagree - Point

Answer 12

• Revolutionary socialists believe problems in society are rooted in capitalism and that individuals are under a ‘false consciousness’ which means they only way to improve society is through revolution
• Social Democrats, and others, argue that society is not as damaged and the rational nature of humans means it can be improved gradually

Question 13

Optimism - Disagree - Example
(Revolutionary)

Answer 13

Rosa Luxemburg felt that our current society was damaging humanity’s natural communal instincts and, along with Marx, insists the best way to improve society is through revolution

Question 14

Optimism - Disagree - Example
(Social Democrat)

Answer 14

Beatrice Webb theorised the ‘inevitability of gradualism’ whereby the majority of voters would gradually and inevitably realise they had no interest in capitalism and would elect socialist governments