Socialism ideology

Question 1

What is socialist view on Human nature being malleable

Answer 1

Human nature is not fixed
experience and circumstance can shape human nature
nurture over nature
utopian- Humans have the capacity to become members of a community bound together by brotherhood

Question 2

What is a socialist view on humans being social creatures

Answer 2

Humans are drawn to social groups and the power of community over individualism
Bound together by common humanity
Fraternity – bonds of brotherhood and sympathy among
all humans

Question 3

What is the socialist view on humans being naturally cooperative

Answer 3

Cooperation can achieve more than individual effort
Humans are motivated by moral incentives, not just
economic ones

Question 4

What is egalitarianism

Answer 4

The principle that everyone is equal

Question 5

What is foundational equality

Answer 5

All people have equal rights because
they are human. These rights cannot
be taken away

Question 6

What is formal equality

Answer 6

People have equal legal and political
rights

Question 7

What is equality of opportunity

Answer 7

People have the same chance to
succeed or fail based upon their own
skills and talents

Question 8

What is equality of outcome

Answer 8

People have the same material
wealth

Question 9

Why do socialists believe in fairness regarding egalitarianism

Answer 9

Inequality represents the unequal structure of capitalism, not differences in human skills and talent
Formal equality ignores structural inequalities
Equality of opportunity legitimises structural
inequalities

Question 10

Why do socialists believe in cooperation regarding egalitarianism

Answer 10

People are more likely to identify with people who have
similar wealth to them
Equality of outcome strengths social solidarity
Inequality leads to conflict and instability

Question 11

Why do socialists believe in human fulfilment regarding egalitarianism

Answer 11

Need satisfaction is the basis for human fulfilment
Needs are necessities not ‘wants’
All humans need similar things – food, water, shelter, companionship
Society should be designed to fulfil these needs

Question 12

What is socialists reaction to being called utopian

Answer 12

Utopianism is a strength not a weakness- They are rightly interested in what humans could be if their social and economic circumstances were different

Question 13

what do socialists think about private ownership being unjust

Answer 13

wealth is produced by a collective human effort so its unjust

Question 14

What do Socialists believe that private ownership does to peoples human nature

Answer 14

It is morally corrupting – private property encourages people to be materialistic – seeking fulfilment by accumulating wealth

Question 15

What do socialists believe private ownership does to society

Answer 15

It is divisive – it leads to conflict between groups – rich vs poor, worker vs employer

Question 16

What is a Marxist view on common ownership

Answer 16

Marxism – abolition of all private property leading to a classless society based on common ownership

Question 17

What is a communist view on Common ownership

Answer 17

Communism – State ownership and a central planning

Question 18

What is a social democrat view on common ownership

Answer 18

Social democrats – Nationalisation of major industries but some private property

Question 19

What type of socialist envisaged the abolition of private property

Answer 19

Fundamentalist socialits

Question 20

Why do socialists believe that social class is the most important division in society

Answer 20

Humans think and act with those who
they share a similar economic position
Social classes are the driving force of
political conflict and change
This is most clear for Marxists who see
the division between Proletariat and
Bourgeoisie as central to revolution and change

Question 21

How does socialism represent the working class

Answer 21

seen as a working class movement
Socialist political parties have been seen to represent working class interest

Question 22

What is the Marxist idea of alienation

Answer 22

From the product of your labour

From the process of your labour

From fellow workers

From yourself

Question 23

What was the end goal of Marxism

Answer 23

Classless

Stateless

Common ownership

Absolute equality – from
each according to ability,
to each according to need

Question 24

What is Rosa Luxemburg’s outlook on democracy

Answer 24

Democracy and socialism are linked, mass strike action would develop into wider revolutionary movement

Question 25

What is a social democratic view on revolution

Answer 25

Gradualism not revolution

Question 26

What is a social democratic view on equality

Answer 26

Relative equality through a welfare state not absolute equality

Question 27

What is the social democratic view on the economy

Answer 27

Mixed economy not common ownership

Keynesian demand management not centrally planned economy

Question 28

What is the social democratic view of capitalism

Answer 28

Humanise capitalism not abolish it

Question 29

What did Crossland say about society and Marx

Answer 29

“infinitely more complex than Marx could have ever imagined”

Question 30

What is the economy like in the third way?

Answer 30

Free markets- capitalism is a dynamic and positive force, “rejects top down” state intervention
Stresses knowledge economy, prioritising competition through skill

Question 31

What is the Third ways outlook on individualism

Answer 31

Stresses the importance of community and responsibility rejects liberal individualism
seeks to fuse liberal free market economics with the importance of community

Question 32

What’s the Third ways view on society

Answer 32

Consensus view on society

Question 33

What is the Third ways view on opportunity

Answer 33

equality of opportunity and meritocracy to ensure social justice

Question 34

Does the third way accept equality of outcome

Answer 34

No
Third way focuses on social inclusion not equality of outcome
welfare policies should focus on “workfare”- welfare encouraging work and self reliance

Question 35

What do the Third way believe the states role is

Answer 35

A competition state to ensure a capitalist society through a focus on infrastructure and education.
focus on education over social security as education leads to individual development