Socialism Key Thinkers

Question 1

Marx and Engels ideas on social class

Answer 1

The centrality of social class – the ideas of historical
materialism, dialectic change and revolutionary class
consciousness

Question 2

What is historical materialism

Answer 2

• historical and social development can be explained in terms of economic and class factors.
• The economic system powerfully influences or ‘conditions’ all other aspects of society.

Question 3

What is dialectic change

Answer 3

• a process of development that occurs through the conflict or
  struggle between two opposing forces
• at each stage of human history, dialectical change is propelled by the struggle between exploiters and
  the exploited; only ends with the establishment of a communist society

Question 4

Revolutionary class consciousness

Answer 4

the proletariat has to become a ‘class for itself’, aware of its own interests and determined to pursue them

Question 5

Karl Marx ideas about human nature

Answer 5

Humans as social beings – how nature is socially determined
and how true common humanity can be expressed only under
communism

Question 6

Beatrice Webb main idea

Answer 6

‘The inevitability of gradualness’

Question 7

Rosa Luxemburg (2)

Answer 7

• Evolutionary socialism and revisionism aren’t possible as capitalism is based on an economic relationship of exploitation.
• Struggle by the proletariat for reform and democracy creates class consiousness

Question 8

Anthony Crosland (3)

Answer 8

• contradictions in capitalism DO NOT drive social change
• Managed capitalism can deliver social justice and equality
• State-managed capitalism – includes the mixed economy, full employment and universal social benefits.

Question 9

Anthony Giddens (3)

Answer 9

• rejection of state intervention and acceptance of the free market
• emphasis on equality of opportunity, responsibility and community
• role of the state – is social investment in infrastructure
  and education not economic and social engineering