11.3 Equality

Question 1

What are 3 aspects of equality that all socialists agree on?

Answer 1

• Foundational Equality
• Rejection of natural hierarchies
• Equality of opportunity

Question 2

How do revolutionary socialists and democratic socialists differ in regards to equality of opportunity?

Answer 2

• Marx, Engels and Luxemburg argued that equality of opportunity can only be achieved after a revolution
• Democratic socialist Beatrice Webb argued that equality of opportunity could only be achieved by reforming capitalism to the point that it is a truly socialist society

Question 3

What is the social democracy view on equality of opportunity?

Answer 3

Crosland argued for progressive taxation and to allow an even distribution of opportunities via an expansive welfare state

Question 4

What is the 3rd Way view on equality of opportunity?

Answer 4

Equality of opportunity needs to target the neediest in society: the underclass

Question 5

What type of benefits did Anthony Giddens advocate?

Answer 5

Means-tested benefits e.g. education

Question 6

What did revolutionary socialists argue about equality of outcome?

Answer 6

Marx, Engels and Luxemburg dismissed equality of outcome as it presupposed that capitalism could be rid of exploitation, which they believed to be impossible

Question 7

What did Democratic Socialist Beatrice Webb argue about equality of outcome?

Answer 7

Webb argued for a gradual incremental process so that income would eventually be far more evenly distributed - not absolute equality but substantially fairer

Question 8

Why was Social Democrat Anthony Crosland against pure equality of outcome?

Answer 8

Crosland felt it would weaken the economy by acting as a disincentive to wealth creators

Question 9

What did Anthony Giddens argue equality of outcome was?

Answer 9

Impracticable and a disincentive and would damage the economy

Question 10

What is absolute equality?

Answer 10

Suggests that all individuals should receive the same rewards as long as the contributions that are made to society are made to the best of their ability

Question 11

What did Marx, Engels and Luxemburg believe about the economy in regards to absolute equality?

Answer 11

They believed that in an economy based on common ownership and collectivisation material rewards would be based on needs. Each individual would contribute to society and then take what they needed

Question 12

What did Webb believe about absolute equality?

Answer 12

Webb did not advocate absolute equality, envisaging some wage differences

Question 13

What did Anthony Crosland dismiss absolute equality as?

Answer 13

Utopian - he accepted that in a meritocratic mixed economy those who contributed more would be rewarded accordingly

Question 14

What did Anthony Giddens believe about absolute equality?

Answer 14

It was a flawed concept, Giddens accepted that inequality was a natural consequence of society

Question 15

Why do revolutionary socialists reject equality of welfare?

Answer 15

Marx, Engels and Luxemburg rejected equality of welfare for its failure to remove capitalism

Question 16

What was Beatrice Webb’s approach to equality of welfare?

Answer 16

Webb argued that equality of welfare would be achieved by mass nationalisation of industry - argued that proper state management would ensure equality of welfare via an efficient redistribution of resources

Question 17

What did Anthony Giddens argue about high levels of social security and welfare?

Answer 17

They were a disincentive to work and created a dependency culture