Socialism

Question 1

what do socialists think of equality of outcome?

Answer 1

all socialists support some level of equality of outcome

Question 2

why do all socialists support equality of outcome?

Answer 2

-all believe equality would enhance positive freedom by safeguarding them from poverty + enabling them to fulfil their potential

Question 3

what do socialists believe equality of outcome enhances?

Answer 3

• it enhances social harmony and community

- see equality as vital ensuring justice and satisfying basic needs to increase freedom

Question 4

what kind of theory is marxism?

Answer 4

Materialistic theory - see economic inequality as primary cause for everything

Question 5

how do marxists seek to achieve equality?

Answer 5

• seek to deliver absolute social equality by replacing private ownership w/ common ownership
• via seizing the means of production

Question 6

what do marxists seek to do?

Answer 6

seek to abolish class system and overthrow capitalism via revolution

Question 7

What did Marx contend?

Answer 7

Marx contended that for true social equality and for humans to realise their true human potential a creation of communist society that abolishes private property, class differences and the state is required
-to be done through revolution

Question 8

how do social democrats seek to promote social equality?

Answer 8

via parliamentary road

Question 9

what did Sydney Webb say?

Answer 9

“the inevitability of gradualism”

Question 10

what did what Webb mean?

Answer 10

• working class had vote, who were the majority

- would naturally vote for socialist parties and they would gain power

Question 11

how would social democrats promote social equality in parliament?

Answer 11

• use majority in parliament to pass legislation
• via welfare and redistribution of wealth
• paid for by progressive taxation

Question 12

what did Anthony Crossland argue?

Answer 12

Crossland argued that main aim of socialism now was to manage capitalism to deliver greater social equality and social justice, with more egalitarian distribution of rewards, status and privileges, and no class barriers

Question 13

how do marxists vs social democrats see the state?

Answer 13

agent of ruling class vs vehicle for progressive socialist reform

Question 14

how do third way view equality of outcome?

Answer 14

the reject equality of outcome instead favour equality of opportunity

Question 15

why do third way prefer equality of opportunity?

Answer 15

• allows individuals to achieve their potential and achieve social mobility
• they promote the idea of meritocracy

Question 16

what do third way believe about inequality?

Answer 16

relative amounts of social and economic inequality is good for society