Types Of Socialism, Its Thinkers And Historical Examples

Question 1

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels Views on Human Nature

Answer 1

Human nature has been contaminated by capitalism instilling the false consciousness of the social working class values. Revolutionary socialism will repair this.

Question 2

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels views on the state

Answer 2

The existing liberal-social class state is a tool of the dominant capitalist class; it must be destroyed by revolution and replaced by a new socialist state: the dictatorship of the proletariat.

Question 3

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels views on society

Answer 3

Capitalist society is sickeningly, yet fatally, defined by class interests and class conflict. A communist society will be the perfect ‘end of history’

Question 4

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels views on the economy

Answer 4

Capitalism is corrupt, inefficient and ultimately self destructive. It should - and will be replaced by an economy based on collective ownership.

Question 5

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels Book to quote

Answer 5

The communist manifesto (1848) 
Das Kapital (1867)

Anti-Capitalist pro socialist and communist, must have a revolutionary approach.

Question 6

Rosa Luxembourg views on human nature

Answer 6

Human nature has not been damaged to the extent Marx alleged. Fraternity and altruism still flourish in working class communities punished by capitalist economics.

Question 7

Rosa Luxemburg Views on the state

Answer 7

The existing capitalist state must be destroyed by revolution, but one arising from strike action not violence. The replacement state should be a genuine democracy, complete with free speech and free elections.

Question 8

Rosa Luxemburg views on society

Answer 8

Capitalist society is class-ridden and morally indefensible, yet alternative societies, or sub cultures, exist within downtrodden proletarian communities.

Question 9

Rosa Luxemburg views on the economy

Answer 9

Capitalism is more resilient than Marx allowed. It’s necessary destruction, and then replacement by an economy based on workers control will require determination and solidarity among the proletariat.

Question 10

Rosa Luxemburg Book to quote.

Answer 10

Reform or Revolution (1800)

Opposes the idea of violent revolution and preferred the idea of a spontaneous strike between all of the classes.

Question 11

Beatrice Webb views on human nature.

Answer 11

The damage inflicted by capitalism upon the human psyche will be compounded only by violent revolution. Humanity needs to be guided back gradually to its original cooperative condition.

Question 12

Beatrice Webb views on the state

Answer 12

If harnessed to universal suffrage, the existing state could be used to effect a gradual transition to socialism.

Question 13

Beatrice Webb views on society.

Answer 13

The poverty and inequalities of a capitalist society continue to depress human potential while fostering regressive competition.

Question 14

Beatrice Webb views on the economy.

Answer 14

A chaotic capitalist economy will gradually be replaced by one which secures for workers the full fruits of their labour based upon a common ownership of the means of production.

Question 15

Beatrice Webb context and facts.

Answer 15

Lived in (1858 - 1943.)
Developed the early Ideas of democratic socialism.
Served in Fabian society - an organisation committed to evolutionary socialism.

Question 16

Anthony Crosland Views on Human Nature

Answer 16

Human nature has a powerful sense of ‘fairness’ and an innate objection to huge inequalities of outcome.

Question 17

Anthony Crosland views on the state

Answer 17

Democratic socialist governments,e.g. labour 1945 - 1951, prove that the existing state can be used to effect radical, socialist change.

Question 18

Anthony Crosland views on society

Answer 18

Society is increasingly complicated, altered by the emergence of new social groups comprising ‘meritocratic’ managers and ‘classless’ technocrats.

Question 19

Anthony Crosland views on the economy

Answer 19

A mixed economy, underpinned by limited public ownership and Keynesian capitalism will finance the greater public spending necessary to secure equality.

Question 20

Anthony Crosland Book and facts to quote

Answer 20

The future of socialism 1956: Pub life and common ownership had gone far enough
Mixed economy of Keynesian principles will advance economic society the most.

Question 21

Anthony Giddens views on human nature

Answer 21

Human nature has been shaped by changing social economic-conditions, The pro-fairness instinct is still present, but it now competes with a sharpened sense of individual aspiration.

Question 22

Anthony Giddens views on the state

Answer 22

The existing liberal state should be improved, redistributing and decentralising political power while encouraging greater political participation.

Question 23

Anthony Giddens views on society

Answer 23

Society has undergone embourgeoisement (Collective action of having middle class lives as acceptable and not desiring to improve.) egalitarians ( Social equality for all people) must harness, rather than deny these forces.

Question 24

Anthony Giddens views on the economy

Answer 24

A neo-liberal economy, propelled by privatisation and deregulation will yield huge amounts of tax. This will finance the increase in public spending. This will secure greater equality of opportunity.

Question 25

Anthony Giddens Book

Answer 25

In Beyond Left and Right (1994) - socialist sympathiser highlighting negative ‘corrosive’ effects of capitalism
The third way: Renewal of Social Democracy, written at the time of the 1997 general election - agreed with free market capitalism had an unmatched capacity to to empower individuals economically.

Question 26

Classic Marxism

Answer 26

Refers to the writings of Karl Marx and his collaborator Friedrich Engels. Capitalism must disappear and communism must be established.

Question 27

Fundamental socialists

Answer 27

Capitalism should be abolished in any way, gradual or revolutionary.

Question 28

Democratic Socialism

Answer 28

Heavily influenced by Webb. Disagreed with revolutionary methods of implementing socialism ad favoured a democratic government and mixed economy with common ownership.

Question 29

Neo-Marxism

Answer 29

Early 20th Centuary - respectful of Marx, argue that capitalism infects the arts as well as the economy, which is the reason for capitalist survival.