Socialism

Question 1

Revolutionary socialism

Answer 1

Reject use of democratic methods in the pursuit of a socialist society

Question 2

Social democracy

Answer 2

Emerged after 1945 as western socialist parties embraced electoral politics and switched to the more limited aim of reforming, rather than abolishing capitalism

Question 3

Revolutionary socialism view on Human Nature

Answer 3

Humans are creatures with a tendency towards co-operation, sociability and rationality; prefer to co-operate rather than compete.
The Indiv cannot be understood w/out reference to Soc, because HN is socially determined.
Co-operation reinforces the idea of common humanity, in both moral and economic terms.
Human motivation cannot be driven by just material considerations but also the moral view of peoples role in society.
Emphasis on collectivisation is rooted in the socialist view of human nature, humans are social animals, prefer to live in social groups rather than alone. Tied together in order to achieve their goals

Question 4

Marx and Engels view on HN

Answer 4

Humans are essentially social beings whose behaviour and potential are influenced more by nature and nurture

Question 5

Soc democ view on HN

Answer 5

Humans as Soc creatures who are co-operative and rational. HN also Soc determined- the Soc in which ppl grow up and lives shapes their behaviour. Soc policies can change environment to free people to be their true selves.
Soc dem accept elements of individualism & competition, and believe improving Soc environment through reforms is possible w/in cap

Question 6

‘Revolutionary Road’ to socialism

Answer 6

19th century was popular bc:
-early development of industry and capitalism brought about poverty, exploitation and unemployment, which was expected to radicalise the working classes who were at the sharp end of these changes
-workers had little influence over policies in government systems usually dominated by aristocracy or bourgeoisie.
Call for total transformation of society, existing state must completely be replaced w/ new rev instits

Question 7

Rev socialists view on society

Answer 7

Common humanity thus those who co-op channel the capabilities of the whole group or community.
People should work hard to improve their society or community because they have a sense of responsibility for other humans.
Collectivism= society can only be transformed by collective endeavour, it is a way of achieving an ideal society.
Human beings are more likely to work together and co-exist harmoniously for the common good if they share the same Soc and econ cond. For example Sweden has high levels of social equality due to redistribution of wealth.
Priv prop promotes materialism and fosters belief that the achievement of personal wealth will bring fulfilment
Generates conflict between ‘have’ and ‘have nots’ such as owners and workers

Question 8

Rev socialists views on equality

Answer 8

Rejects equality of opportunity because it justifies unequal treatment on the grounds of innate ability.
Absolute equality in terms of material rewards and life opportunities
Collective ownership of the means of production, dismantling class structure
Marx ‘From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs’

Question 9

Rev Soc view on social class

Answer 9

Worst divide in Soc… ppl w/ a sim socio-econ profile have a similar outlook on life
Marxists assert that conflict between ruling and revolutionaries is the driving force behind such change in history. Division between capital and lab, conflict is inevitable between bourgeoisie and proletariat

Question 10

Marx and Engels on class and Soc

Answer 10

Class consciousness is neeed for the oppressed to overthrow their oppressors… for example under capitalism before a Soc rev can take place the proletariat has to become a ‘class for itself’ aware of its own interests… dialectical change is propelled by the struggle between exploiters and exploited

Question 11

Luxembourg on evolutionary socialism

Answer 11

Would never smooth away the exploitation inherent in cap econ, bc the contradictions and crises of capitalism made its collapse inevitable

Question 12

Luxembourg on class consciousness

Answer 12

Creation of working class consciousness would overthrow a capitalist society, consciousness would develop naturally from the workers, mass strike would happen radicalising workers and bringing about a Soc revolution.

Question 13

Soc dem on society

Answer 13

Chiefly concerned with/ the just or fair distribution of wealth in society; its defining core values is social justice.
More mod Soc such as Attlee gov opted for limited ownership by nationalising only key strategic strucs including coal mines railways and steel

Question 14

Webb on class struggle

Answer 14

Rejected the Marxist theory of class struggle, endorsing the ‘inevitability of gradualness’… new mass age of dem politics, secure the interests of the working classes

Question 15

Social democrats on equality

Answer 15

Equality of opportunity and some pursuit of equality of outcome
Rev Soc goal of absolute equality as impractical, advocating for a more balanced approach that recognises that cap can be managed
SD champions equality of opportunity, believing that everyone should have a fair chance to succeed in life regardless of their socio- econ background. Support policies that aim to level the playing field and provide equal OPPs for everyone
Crosland’s intro of comprehensive education, aimed to level the playing field by providing similar quality of education to all students
SD ensure all citizens have access to basic level of welfare… safety nets to met essential needs of every individual
Certain degree of equality of outcome… pursued through progressive taxation and other redistributive policies, where the wealthier segments of society contribute to the proportionality more to fund public services and welfare progs.. under Harold WIlson top rate of income tax reached 83%

Question 16

Third way on equality

Answer 16

Rejection of equality of outcome and support for equality of opportunity
Acceptance of wealth creation was underpinned by a belief that as long as ppl had equal opp to succeed, disparities in outcome were acceptable and even desirable
Top rate of income tax under Blair was 40%
Improving access to quality education for all, regardless of background, seen as essential in ensuring that everyone had a chance to develop their skills
TB ‘education, education, education’
Strong, but ref, welfare state, to prov. safety net and support mobility in the econ

Question 17

Third Way on society

Answer 17

Neo-revisionists endorse the value of community and moral responsibility… New lab linked communitarian and lib ideas
Communitarian liberalism emphasised that personal autonomy operates w/in a communal context based on mutual dependence and benefit, balancing rights w/ responsibility.
Soc model based on consensus and harmony that clearly differs from traditional Soc focus on class differences and inequality.
Third way- supporters shifted from commitment to equality (indivs can only participate fully in Soc by acquiring the appropriate skills, rights and opportunities).
Emphasise equality off opp and the benefits of a meritocratic system

Question 18

Third way on class

Answer 18

Focuses on Indiv empowerment and creating equality of opportunity
Grounded in the belief that in an incr mod Soc, old ideas of class struggle were less relevant and that focus needed to be on empowering indivs
Giddens suggested the focus should shift from the binary struggle between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat to fostering a sense of community and shared future amazing membs of Soc … not main cause of exploitation

Question 19

Soc dem on class

Answer 19

Rec the existence of class as central to the structure of Soc, continue to champion the cause of the working class.
However, Soc dem perceive class in not strictly binary terms, but as a more complex system, including the rise of the new Soc classes like the managerial and professional classes
Crosland writes about this in ‘The Future of Socialism’ ‘a high prop of the pop enjoys many of the luxuries which until recently were considered the prerogative of the rich; and the ordinary worker lives at what even two decades ago would have been considered in Britain as a middle-class standard of life.’
Rather than seeking to completely abolish class’s distinctions, Soc dem focus on creating a more equitable Soc w/in cap… ones background doesn’t dictate their opps

Question 20

Giddens on Soc

Answer 20

Rejected that the success or failure of one generation shall define the next. Also stressed importance of community and responsibility, partly to offset the negative effects of the free market, also to reflect declining of hierarchy.
Community was ‘fundamental to the new politics’ promoted social cohesion, shared values and individual and Soc responsibility

Question 21

What do most Soc believe about the state

Answer 21

Call for some state intervention and state planning to promote collective goals and ensure the distribution of goods and services is not left to free-market forces.

Question 22

Rev Soc on state

Answer 22

State is a bourgeoisie instrument of class oppression, defending cap interests against those of the working classes
Gradual change will not lead to a Soc society , trad values too deeply enshrined
Marxist and state Soc argue that the agency of the stare can be used to control econ prod and distribution for the benefit of everyone. + advocate collective action through a centralised state.. USSR aft 1929

Question 23

Rev Soc on workers control

Answer 23

Bc state = place of oppression… state to be replaced by a federation of TU bodies… British guild socialism argued for state ownership of industry in the pursuit of workers control, some called for state to be turned into a federal body composed of workers guilds, consumers’ organisation and local gov bodies.
Extreme workers control in Yugoslavia 50s and 60s

Question 24

Luxembourg on state/ rev party

Answer 24

A rev party that demanded blind obedience would create an ‘absolute dividing wall’ preventing workers from becoming ‘free and independent director’ of soc
Opposed Lenin

Question 25

Soc dem on state

Answer 25

Advocate state intervention, in more limited form of welfare and redistribution programmes to help those in the greatest need
Primary aim is to remove absolute poverty.. then certain level of inequality can be tolerated
Soc dem define Soc class in more fluid terms emphasising income and status diff between non-manual and manual occupational groups
Soc objectives can be achieved through targeted state int to narrow class distinctions
Last 50 years in decline in class pol bc deindustrialisation and the rise of the service sec… hence mod stance

Question 26

Crosland on the state

Answer 26

Crosland’s eglatarian Soc depended on high level of government spending on welfare services and the redistribution of wealth of income
Dev of secondary education and expansion of higher education, children of all backgrounds could benefit. Ed sec’ if its the last thing i do I’m going to destroy all grammar schools in eng and wales’

Question 27

Third way on the state

Answer 27

Rejects top-down state intervention
Welfare should target socially marginalised groups and provide people with/ the assistance they need to enable them to improve their own situation. TB ‘a hand up, not a hand out’
Competition/ market state to help develop the national workforce’s skills and knowledge base
Focus on soc invest, competition.. state emphasises the importance of education for impr a person’s job prospects and boosting econ growth

Question 28

Giddens on state

Answer 28

Role of state in Soc investment in infrastructure and education, no econ and Soc engineering
Due to globalisation ‘top down’ state intervention = no longer efficient… the left should ‘get comfortable with the markets’
Free market = most efficient…. However for this to be fair everyone needs equality of opportunity to better themselves through their ability and effort.
Rejected extensive state welfare… dependency culture, incr tax revenues discourage the investment needed to sustain a competitive econ. Giddens called for a ‘social investment’ state… state benefit from econ growth of free market but had a responsibility to invest in the infrastructure of Soc (such as education, training, subsidised employment and expert advice) to provide better job opportunities. In return cits had a duty to take advantage of what was on offer, responsibility to help themselves and obligation not to settle for a life on benefits

Question 29

Webb on the state

Answer 29

Opposed the ‘self interested’ nature of workers control… Thought the average voter was limited, selfish and uninformed, rejected direct democracy… Posed the idea of a working class party.
Webb believed that the expansion of the state was crucial to deliver socialism, the ‘economic’ side of democracy. The expanding state had ‘silently changed its character… from police power to housekeeping on a national scale’ and would ensure the peaceful emergence of Soc
Emergence of Soc relied on the disciplined elite ‘to guide the mass of citizens to a socialist state’
Belief in a centralised state action, ‘rational’ planning and bureaucratic direction led Beatrice + Syd to support Stalinist Russia.

Question 30

Rev Soc view on economy

Answer 30

Any attempts to humanise capitalism, a syst based on inequality and exploitation, completely undermines the objectives and principles of socialism.
After WW2, rev Soc was adopted by national lib movements in Africa, Asia and South America including the Chinese coms, Vietnam Congress, and Cuban Insurgents. Such a strategy was the only way to remove the colonial power and domestic allies to dismantle Soc and econ syst
Competition is wasteful, promotes Soc div and generates conflict, hostility and resentment
Econ inequality due to structures of cap not innate differences of ability.
Maximise human potential by combating alienation at the work place and undermining the cap view of labour as a mere commodity
Workers control aims to dilute or replace capitalist control of econ

Question 31

Marx and Engels on econ

Answer 31

Historical materialism maintains that historical and social devs can be explained in terms of econ and Soc factors. The econ syst powerfully influences or ‘conditions’ all other aspects of Soc.

Question 32

Luxemburg on econ

Answer 32

Any evolutionary or revisionist Soc strat wld leave cap syst of econ exploitation intact. Workers orgs wld never be able to determine their wages or resolve the contradiction between Soc prod and priv appropriation of wealth
Cap econ could not absorb all the surplus value generated by accessing less econ developed territories, cap states exported capitalism

Question 33

Soc dem 3 assumptions on the econ

Answer 33

Ideologically, Soc dem attempts to reconcile free-market capitalism w/ state int, based on 3 assumptions;
Although the cap syst is dependable creator of wealth, the way it distributes wealth produces inequality and poverty
State int in econ and Soc affairs can protect the public and remedy the weaknesses of cap
Peaceful and constit methods should be used to bring about Soc change.

Question 34

Soc dem on the econ

Answer 34

Edward Bernstein published a revisionist study, ‘Evolutionary Socialism’ which argues that instead of cap succumbing to econ crises and promoting ever-deepening class conflict, the cap system was proving resilient and adaptable
Co-op efforts to boost econ growth not only incr living standards for the working population but also provided the funds (through taxation) to finance welfare measures to help the vulnerable and poor.
Pursued collectivism in a limited way. 1945-51 lab nationalising key industries such as coal, elec, iron and steel.. much of econ in priv hands
Keynesian as a way of reg the cap econ and maintaining full employment
Reform of cap chiefly through the welfare state, which would redistribute wealth
Cap = no longer a harsh syst of class oppression and extensive state direction and control was now irrelevant

Question 35

Crosland on the econ

Answer 35

Argued that a new skilled, governing class of salaried managers, technocrats and officials had taken control of industry from the old capitalist class.
Econ growth would sustain Soc dem
Keynesian econ = best, funds would provide funds for those at the bottom of Soc
Econ efficiency- no clear rel between an indivs status and rewards and the importance of their econ function
Creation of a more communitarian society- existing inequalities created resentment
Injustice of rewarding talents and abilities- due to nature not nurture not individual responsibility.
Need for Soc justice- ‘democratic equality’

Question 36

Third way on economy

Answer 36

Growing perception that collectivism in developed countries was producing a dependency culture and a sluggish uncompetitive economic sector
End of Cold War reinforced the view as collectivism suffered an ideological defeat
Accepts primacy of the market over the state
Neo-revisionists accept globalisation and the ‘knowledge economy’ where information and communication technologies ensure competitiveness and productivity.
Under new labour, the private sector became involved in the provision of public services through the private finance initiative (PFI) schemes and Public-private partnerships (PPP)
Does not oppose great Indiv wealth providing it helps to improve the overall prosperity of society

Question 37

Giddens on the economy

Answer 37

Rejection of the state int and acceptance of free market econ, w/ emphasis on equality of opportunity over equality, and responsibility and community over class conflict

Question 38

Third way on HN

Answer 38

Human = Soc creatures who are co-operative and rational. Human nature also socially determined - the society in which people grow up and live shapes their behaviour.
Soc pols can change environment to free people to be there. True selves
More keen on individualism & competition, including meritocracy, and believe improving Soc environment through reforms is possible w/ capitalism

Question 39

Giddens on HN

Answer 39

Social fairness is combined with self fulfilment

Question 40

Crosland on HN

Answer 40

Human naturally oppose inequality