To what extent do socialists agree over society?

Question 1

para 1 - agree

Answer 1

There is an agreement that capitalism has created two classes that were not harmonious and should not coexist. This is one of the key policies of Marx and Engels, citing it as a reason for capitalism to be abolished. This idea is shared by both Luxemburg and Webb, arguing how capitalism has created down trodden proletarian communities, separate from the richer members of society. Furthermore, Giddens also agrees with this to a degree, arguing how ‘post-Fordist’ capitalist societies left communities fragmented, atomised the workforce and alienated individuals.

Question 2

para 1 - disagree

Answer 2

More modern socialists have moved away from this idea. Anthony Crosland argued how society was less binary than traditional socialists had argued, arguing how society was no longer split between employers and employees due to economic change. Furthermore, Anthony Giddens argues how capitalism had created social cohesion and that this cohesion was the reason that capitalism was so desirable.

Question 3

para 2 - agree

Answer 3

Socialists appear to agree over the idea that there should be equality in society. The basic principles of the ideology of Marx and Engels and that the ruling class in society should be removed and that society should be totally equal. Furthermore, modern socialists appear to also find agreement over this, with both Crosland and Giddens arguing for much more equality in society

Question 4

para 2 - disagree

Answer 4

The form in which this equality comes is disputed. Whilst Marx and Engels argue in favour total equality of outcome, where the surplus is shared evenly between each worker, modern socialists support the idea of equality of opportunity. This manifests itself in Crosland’s belief in the need for comprehensive schools rather than grammar schools to provide students with an equal footing. Giddens seems to agree, arguing how there should be greater equality of opportunity, but society may have to accept inequality of outcome.

Question 5

para 3 - agree

Answer 5

Furthermore, these is a degree of agreement over the idea that society, and individuals, have been limited. Marx, Engels and Luxemburg all argue that capitalism has led to a society in which individuals are down trodden, and that through revolution, these individuals will be able to reach their full potential, an idea Webb agrees with, arguing how the poverty and inequalities of capitalism have depressed human potential

Question 6

para 3 - disagree

Answer 6

Modern socialists have moved away from this idea. Crosland and Giddens both argue that although not perfect, society is in a place in which individuals are able to achieve, with Giddens arguing how individuals are more free than ever to ‘self-actualise’. Furthermore, both would argue that greater human potential would be achieved through more equal schooling, an idea shared by Webb, who argued that the state should guarantee ‘sufficient nourishment and training when young’. Many of these ideas were the backbone for the education reforms enacted as part of the creation of welfare state by Clement Attlee after WW2.