the core ideas of socialism Flashcards
fraternity definition in socialist terms
fellow humans should be regarded as ‘siblings’
should be the norm
socialist view of human nature
optimistic
naturally co-operative+generous
seek fraternity
true nature been diluted by time+circumstance
do socialist see human nature as malleable
yes
more optimistic about how it could be
can be adjusted to fulfill full potential
socialist view on society in relation individuals
they don’t make up society
they are product of it
focus on each individuals society
how is society formed according to socialists
independent construct
formed by impersonal forces (mainly economic)-shapes individuals inside
what is means of production (impersonal force shaping society)
way a society’s resources are determined+distributed
has crucial impact on nature of society+human behaviour
what do socialist think about people being masters of their destiny
can’t happen
depends on nature of society
society is main reason for people not reaching potential
what do socialist think would happen if society improved
corresponding improvement in prospect of individual
for socialists what was the main consequence of the industrial revolution (society)
class grouping (based on income) this shapes their prospects+status
what did marx and engels say about the social class (society)
it determines their status in societies economy
what did Marx and more modern socialist note about the difference in class (society)
unequal with power+influence
some individuals have more opportunity to exploit their potential
what does it mean that socialists want equality of outcome
more similarity between material resources+circumstance
define social justice (society)
e.g health care+education+minimum wage
in society what do socialist want to narrow
gap between richest+poorest regardless of intelligence, those born into lower class will have less opportunities
how would socialist secure better equality of opportunity
first be greater equality in outcome
generation which allows inequality of outcome will produce ineuqality of opportunity in next one
what did socialist believe was an insufficient way of dealing with the poor
just to improve their conditions need to narrow social class gap-otherwise no co-operation
what is social class determined by (economy)
economic system underpinning it
what threaten natural human nature (economy)
capitalism-encourages persuit of self interest
what does free market capitalism promote which socialist dont like
huge inequalities of outcome
this opposes social justice+equality of opportunity
what type of economy would socialists want
greater worker control over employment
redistribution of wealth+resources
what are the two broad principles involved in ‘redistributionist’ socialist economy
rejection of laissez faire capitalism
greater collectivisim
this will help focus on needs of society
what are the 5 different forms economic collectivism can take in a socialist economy
progressive taxation
progressive public spending
extensive public services
state/common ownership
progressive taxation (economic collectivism)
extract wealth on ‘sliding’ scale
richer contribute more than the poor
progressive public spending (economic collectivism)
state uses economic resources its aquired to better less fortunate elements of society
e.g benefits
