State

Question 1

Introduction - Themes

Answer 1

• Collectivism
• Equality
• Optimism

Question 2

Introduction - Argument

Answer 2

There is some broad agreement in the core principles of a socialist state, however, they fundamentally disagree on the application of these within society

Question 3

Collectivism - Agree - Point

Answer 3

All socialists see the state as vital in promoting the core principles of collectivism - they all completely reject monarchical and aristocratic states and believe that the state will better achieve its goal on a collective rather than individual basis

Question 4

Collectivisation - Disagree - Point

Answer 4

• Revolutionary and Democratic Socialists both believe in full common ownership or communism
• Revisionists fell that there should be some collectivism, however, not everything should be placed in common ownership

Question 5

Collectivisation - Disagree - Example
(Revolutionary)

Answer 5

Marx was a firm believer in the ‘dictatorship of the proletariat’ in which the state was based on common ownership and there would be no traces of private property

Question 6

Collectivisation - Disagree - Example
(Revisionist)

Answer 6

Crossland contested that common ownership had gone far enough, arguing that public ownership was not an aim of socialism. The rejection of nationalisation can be seen by Tony Blair abolishing Clause IV of the Labour Party Constitution

Question 7

Equality - Agree - Point

Answer 7

All socialists reject certain types of state in which power is vested in the elite, rather they advocate for a state where political power rests within the masses and where decisions reflect on the principles of equality

Question 8

Equality - Disagree - Point

Answer 8

• Revolutionary socailists have taken the stance that the state should promote equality of outcome
• Revisionist socalists argue that the state should advocate for equality of opportunity instead

Question 9

Equality - Disagree - Example
(Revolutionary)

Answer 9

Karl Marx and Rosa Luxemburg felt allowing inequality of outcome in one generation will lead to inequality of opportunity in the next. They felt it was better for the state to adopt equality of outcome and promote socialist principles

Question 10

Equality - Disagree - Example
(Third Way)

Answer 10

Giddens felt there needs to be equality of opportunity, he argued that this would promote greater racial, gender and sexual equality, bringing humans closer

Question 11

Optismism - Agree - Point

Answer 11

In keeping with the optimistic view of socialists, they all agree that the state can be improved to bring about a fairer and more equal society. Socialists all value a strong state as without it is difficult to bring abour their core policies such as redistribution of wealth and social jusitice

Question 12

Optimism - Disagree - Point

Answer 12

• Revolutionary socailists believe that a capitalist state means people are living in ‘false consciousness’ which means the only way to achieve a perfect state is through revolution
• Others feel the rationality of humans means the state can be improved gradually and through democratic means

Question 13

Optismism - Disagree - Example
(Revolutionary)

Answer 13

Marx argued that in wake of a revolution, an entirely new state would aris in the dictatorship of the proletariat. Once this alternative state has cemented socalist values, it would ‘wither away’ and be replaced by communism

Question 14

Optimism - Disagree - Example
(Social Democrats)

Answer 14

Beatrice Webb theorised the ‘inevitability of gradualism’ whereby the majority of voters would gradually and inevitably realise they had no interest in current state and would then elect a socialist government in its place