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Edexcel Politics A-Level - UK politics > 11.3 - Core Ideas and Principles within Socialism > Flashcards

11.3 - Core Ideas and Principles within Socialism Flashcards

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1
Q

How do democratic socialists advocate workers’ control?

A

More equitable distribution of economic resources.
Abolishment of class distinctions.

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2
Q
A

x

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3
Q

How do Marxists analyse society?

A

Society is embedded with an understanding of social class.
Class struggle, class consciousness.

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4
Q

What is class consciousness?

A

The proletariat becomes aware of their exploitation at the hands of the bourgeouisie.

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5
Q

What can the combination of class struggle and class consciousness lead to?

A

A potentially revolutionary working class.

The replacement of capitalism with a system run for the benefit of workers.

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6
Q

Why has Marx’s analysis of social class seen much scrutiny? crosland

A

Criticism due to the perception of social class arising due to the means of production.

New socialists, such as Anthony Crosland have argued that society is far more complex than what it was under Marx.

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7
Q

What are the core values of (extreme?) socialism?

A

Equality of outcome is more important than individual liberty.
Need for an extensive welfare state.
State ownership of production.
Strong emphasis on collective working class organisations (trade unions).
Redistributive wealth.
Abolishment of class system.
Abolishment of institutions decided by class, birth or privilege.

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8
Q

Why did Socialism rise in Europe?

A

A reaction against social and economic conditions generated in Europe by individual capitalism.

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9
Q

How do centre-left Socialists feel social justice can be achieved?

A

Via a mixed economy with a significant role for public and the private sector.

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10
Q

x

A
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11
Q

Is the gender pay gap an example of a lack of social justice?

A

Yes.

Women and men are paid differently despite doing the same work.

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12
Q

What was the Rawlsian philosophy between socialism and social liberalism?

A

His argument about social justice can be applied to his argument on the maximisation of individual liberty.

Rawls believes it is possible for the state to achieve an effective allocation of resources.

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13
Q

What view do socialists take of human nature?

A

Generally positive.

It is easily shaped (for good or bad) by an individual’s environment.

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14
Q

How do socialists perceive society?

A

A collection of broadly equal individuals who share a common identity and collective purpose.

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15
Q

What types of work do socialists prefer?

A

Work that focuses on cooperation and collectivism rather than individualism and competition.

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16
Q

What is fraternity?

A

Humans regard each other as siblings rather than rivals.
Relationships are not based on competition or enmity but on generosity / solidarity.

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17
Q

What forms of socialism are particularly hostile to capitalism?

A

Revolutionary / Democratic Socialism

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18
Q

What forms of socialism are compliant with capitalism?

A

Social Democracy
Third Way - particularly fond of the free market.

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19
Q

What does revolutionary socialism feel about a vision of common humanity?

A

Individuals are ‘deformed’ by capitalism - money corrupts those who possess it.
Capitalism must be removed by a revolution from the working class.
Once a revolution occurs, a communist society emerges, and then humans can finally enjoy a common humanity.

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20
Q

What does democratic socialism feel about a vision of common humanity?

A

Webb argued for a socialist state via democratic methods.
Common ownership of the means of production - mass nationalisation controlled by a socialist elite.

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21
Q

What does social democracy feel about a vision of common humanity?

A

Capitalism should be reformed rather than replaced.

Crosland saw a vision of:
* A mixed economy
* Economic state intervention based on Keynesian economics ensuring permament, full employment and economic growth
* The welfare state should be used to redistribute wealth and challenge poverty / social inequality

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22
Q

What does the Third Way feel about a vision of common humanity?

A

Giddens argued for:
* An emphasis on equality of opportunity via public services - education particularly
* Neo-liberal ideas of the free market and self-reliance
* Moving away from universal welfare to means-tested welfare

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23
Q

What does collectivism prioritise?

A

The group over the individual.

Belief that individuals:
* Prefer to work together as opposed to independently
* Will work far more effectively in group settings than they will individually

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24
Q

Why is collectivism an interesting topic for socialists?

A

It has been implemented so differently across all branches of socialism.

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25
How does Marxism argue for collectivism?
On a larger scale, workforces should collectively own all industry and all agencies of society are communal.
26
How do democratic socialists argue for collectivism?
Over time, a fully collectivised economy and state will emerge. Webb informed much of the post-war Attlee government, but Attlee still had some acceptance of the free market.
27
What do social democrats feel about collectivism?
Suspicious of the high levels of collectivism by more radical wings of socialism.
28
What is the social democrat solution to industrial relations?
Workers should belong to trade unions that have very strong bargaining rights to prevent exploitation.
29
What is the Third Way solution to industrial relations?
Unions should still exist to preserve fairness. Must be a recognition that the wages are market-driven.
30
What is the Third Way solution to industrial relations?
Unions should still exist to preserve fairness. Must be a recognition that the wages are market-driven.
31
What is the social democrat solution to healthcare?
A national health service providing universal care to all. 'Free' and paid for by the general population via taxation.
32
What is the Third Way solution to healthcare?
Healthcare reform. The cost of universal healthcare is unsustainable. Supports: * Prescription charges * Private healthcare for the rich for non-essential healthcare
33
What is the social democrat solution to education?
Widespread comprehensive state education for all ensuring an equality of opportunity.
34
What is the social democrat solution to education?
Widespread comprehensive state education for all ensuring an equality of opportunity.
35
What is the Third Way solution to education?
More equality of opportunity and spending in education. New Labour introduction of tuition fees for universities.
36
What is the Third Way solution to education?
More equality of opportunity and spending in education. New Labour introduction of tuition fees for universities.
37
What is the social democrat solution to key industries?
The key utilities are brought under government control and operate in the collective interest of all.
38
What is the Third Way solution to key industries?
The free market is the best way to run businesses. No support to renationalise state utilities.
39
What are the three aspects of equality that socialists can agree on?
Foundational Equality Rejection of natural hierarchies Equality of Opportunity
40
What did democratic socialists feel about equality of opportunity within a capitalist society?
Equality of opportunity can only be achieved by reforming capitalism to the point that it is actually socialist.
41
What did democratic socialists feel about equality of opportunity within a capitalist society?
Equality of opportunity can only be achieved by reforming capitalism to the point that it is actually socialist.
42
What did social democrats feel about equality of opportunity within a capitalist society?
A mixed economy with state management based on Keynesian policies. Breakdown of class barriers that are irrelevant. Progressive taxation to allow an even distribution of opportunities.
43
What did the Third Way feel about equality of opportunity within a capitalist society?
Equality of opportunity should target the most needy by means-tested benefits rather than universal benefits.
44
What did Revolutionary Socialists feel about equality of outcome within a capitalist society?
In a capitalist society, equality of outcome is not achievable as capitalism cannot be rid of exploitation.
45
What did Democratic Socialists feel about equality of outcome within a capitalist society?
Webb argued for an incremental process so that income would be more evenly distributed. Not absolute equality but inequality income such that the remains would be substantially fairer.
46
What did Social Democrats feel about equality of outcome within a capitalist society?
Crosland was against pure equality of outcome as he felt it would weaken the economy, by acting as a disincentive to wealth creators.
47
What did the Third Way feel about equality of outcome within a capitalist society?
Giddens argued that wage equality of outcome was impracticable and a disincentive that would damage the economy.
48
What does Marxism argue in terms of social class?
Capitalists are 'parasites' that profit from the work of an exploited workforce. Differences between social classes are un-rectifiable in a capitalist system to a revolution is inevitable. Capitalists take the surplus value (difference between wages paid and profit) which alienated the worker from the fruits of his labour. The capitalist state was not neutral but actively reinforced the oppressive relationship via laws, bureaucracy, police forces and the army.
49
How did Webb critique Marx's analysis of the class system?
She agreed with the analysis of problems faced, but argued that the state can be altered through democracy from serving capitalism to delivering a socialist state.
50
Why were Social Democrats critical of Webb?
The idea of collectively minded utilitarianism / uniformity of nationalisation compromised the freedom of the individual making 'the socialist state' a 'dull functional nightmare'.
51
What was Crosland's view of socialism?
Less of a class war. More of a fairer redistribution of wealth / equality of opportunity so that an individual can thrive in a society which would over time become classless of it's own accord.
52
What were the main ideas of Marx and Engels?
Marx and Engels argued their theories were empirical and scientifically determined. (absolute nonsense) Class struggle due to property ownership has existed through history. Capitalism will leave only a tiny majority benefiting from it. Both argued that liberal democracy was a 'democratic swindle' because the state was controlled by the bourgeoisie.
53
What did Crosland argue about education?
It reinforced class division in it's current state. He tried to ensure equality of opportunity by creating comprehensive schools that would cater for all abilities + break down segregation of grammar schools.
54
What did the Third Way argue about education?
It is the 'imperative of government today, a key basis of the redistribution of possibilities'.
55
Why did the failure of social democracy to not break down class divisions not overly matter?
The classes set out by Marx, Engels and Webb no longer really exist as the economy has shifted to services-based economy rather than the prior clear cut classes.
56
What do revolutionary socialists believe about worker's control?
Marx, Engels and Luxemburg advocate for workers' control for a time.
57
What do evolutionary socialists believe about workers control?
The worker will never have control of the economy or means of production.
58
What do evolutionary socialists believe about workers control?
The worker will never have control of the economy or means of production.
59
Why did Webb not like guild socialism?
She argued workers lacked the capability to organise such an enterprise.
60
What was Webb's view on human nature?
Negative. She felt the working class were innately intellectually inferior.
61
Who did Webb think would solve the evils of capitalism?
'the professional expert' The working class vote for socialism, and over time, elected socialist governments would refashion the state to manage the worker.
62
What was Webb's evolutionary socialist belief?
'The inevitability of gradualness' Parliamentary democracy will deliver the socialist society rather than revolution.
63
What was Webb's main book? and quote
'The Minority Report of the Poor Law Commission' - 1909 A 'national minimum of civilised life'
64
Where did many of Webb's works later appear?
William Beveridge's, 'The Beveridge Report' - 1942.
65
How did Webb describe revolutions?
'Chaotic, inefficient and counter-productive' an 'unpredictability' that Webb could not countenance.
66
What was Crosland's main book?
'The Future of Socialism' - 1956.
67
What is socialism best served by in Crosland's view?
'State-managed capitalism' - i.e. a mixed economy.
68
What type of economics did Crosland subscribe to?
Keynesian economics.
69
What type of beliefs did Giddens follow economically?
Neo-liberal beliefs. Free-market economies are more efficient and prosperous than state-controlled / mixed economies.
70
What did Tony Blair do to Labour constitution?
Amended Clause IV to remove the commitment to social justice for a vague commitment to social justice.
71
What are Giddens' main works?
'Beyond Left and Right' (1994) The Third Way: The Renewal of Social Democracy (1998)
72
Why did Giddens like free-market capitalism?
It enriched and empowered society. Individualism is irreversible. Socialism must look to harness the benefits of free-market capitalism while neutralising negative effects on community.
73
What did Third Way Socialism prioritise spending on?
Infrastructure (community services, public transport, equality of opportunity in eduation)
74
What did Third Way Socialism prioritise spending on?
Infrastructure (community services, public transport, equality of opportunity in eduation)
75
Which socialists place importance on workers' control?
Marx, Engels and Luxembourg.
76
What are the core ideas of socialism? x6
* Common humanity * Collectivism * Equality * Social Class * Worker Control (hmm..) * Rationalism

Edexcel Politics A-Level - UK politics (29 decks)

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