Core Political Ideas: Socialism

Question 1

What is the meaning of Collectivism to a socialist

Answer 1

Underpins socialism. People will achieve more when they work together, rather than in the self interest.

Equality, welfare and common ownership.

It is right on a moral basis, but also a practical basis.

Human nature suggests we are social animals, preferring to live in
groups.

Bonds of fraternity.

Membership of a community or society allows us true freedom and
fulfilment.

Question 2

What do socialists think about state planning and state intervention

Answer 2

A strong, centralised state, with a planned economy is necessary to ensure resources are allocated fairly.

Capitalism and the free market cannot be trusted to ensure this.

Marxists advocate complete state control and collective ownership (such as in the Soviet Union) and communist regimes in China and
eastern Europe followed the same approach.

Moderate socialists accept some forms of capitalism, favouring
instead a mixture of public and private ownership.

Socialist collectivism revolves around 5 areas: Industrial relations,
housing, education, industry and healthcare.

Question 3

Which areas are important for social collectivism

Answer 3

Industrial relations - workers organised in trade unions with barganing rights over terms and conditions

housing - subsidise houses provided by local government

education - The state runs the school system, which is free and available to everyone

industry - Key industries under state control to operate in the national interest

healthcare - National health service funded from general taxation provides free care based on need

Question 4

What are two criticisms of socialist collectivism

Answer 4

As it emphasises group action and common interest in suppressing human individuality and diversity

Collective objectives can only really be advanced through the agency of the stick this leads to an increased power of the state and erosion of individual freedom

Question 5

What do socialists think about common humanity

Answer 5

Positive view of human nature.

Co-operation, sociability, rationality.

Competition, in the capitalist sense, damages society, causes divisions and leads to conflict.

People who cooperate rather than compete form connections based on understanding, respect and mutual support.

Moral incentive to work for the common good.

Cooperation boosts economic growth and this benefits everybody.

State intervention (with varying degrees of control according to 
different types of socialists) ensure that resources are shared, with welfare and redistribution targeting those in the need the most.

Question 6

What do socialists think about equality

Answer 6

Social equality ensures fairness. Some socialists feel that everybody is born with the potential to be equal. They reject equality of opportunity because it treats people differently based on their abilities. Other socialists feel that because people ARE born with different abilities, there will inevitably be some inequality in relation to rewards.

Social equality reinforces collectivism. If we all work for the common good, it will lead to a fairer and more equal society. E.g. Sweden. Countries with high levels of inequality encourage conflict and
instability.

Social equality is means of satisfying basic human needs. Since all basic human needs are the same, there should be an equal distribution of wealth and resources. This will promote human fulfilment and realise human potential.

Question 7

What do marxists think about equality

Answer 7

Seeks absolute equality with abolition of private property.

Controlled distribution of resources.

Common ownership.

Question 8

What do social Democrats think about equality

Answer 8

More limited state intervention.

Seek to reform rather than abolish capitalism.

Seeks to adjust distribution to narrow differences in wealth
and life choices.

Question 9

What is equality of outcomes for socialists

Answer 9

Maintains that the reward should be based on an individual‘s contribution.

Since this varies from person to person the awards will be different for different people but not big difference as the free market system would have

Supported by fundamentalist socialist (no capitalism) as a way to remove the free markets influence

Opposed by social Democrats and the third way as a form of artificial society

Question 10

What is equality of opportunity foe socialists

Answer 10

Is based on the principle that everyone should have an equal chance to make the best of their abilities

Should be a level playing field with no artificial barriers to progress for those with ability, talent and positive attitude

Supported by social Democrats and the third way

Opposed by Marxist because it does not seek to remove capitalism and its structural inequalities

Question 11

What is equality or welfare for socialist

Answer 11

Accepts that human society is unequal but it also maintains that every individual is entitled to an equal minimum standard of living guaranteed by state welfare provision

Supported by social Democrats and the third way because it provides a virtual safety net for the most vulnerable in society

Opposed by Marxists because this warfare provision does not seek to remove capitalism and is structural inequalities

Question 12

Why do political opposition of socialism reject social equality

Answer 12

It is unjust - treating everybody the same irrespectiveOf their abilities, it does not reward people according to their skills and abilities

It lowers human ambition, motivation and initiative - by removing or downgrading material in centres, leading to economic underperformance

It restricts the liberties of an individual-it can only be implemented through extensive state intervention and control

Question 13

What is Absolute equality for socialists

Answer 13

Is based on that everyone will receive the same reward, providing they make a contribution to society.

Over time each person will make a broadly equal contribution

Supported by Marxist as the basis of a communist society

Rejected by social Democrats and the third way as in practical and potentially destabilising

Question 14

What do socialists think about common ownership

Answer 14

Wealth should be owned collectively as we all work together to create it.

Private property causes materialism, jealousy ,and the false belief money makes you happy.

Private property generates social conflict between the ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’.

Socialists argue about to what extent common ownership should be applied. Moderate socialists, such as the Labour government of 1945-51 nationalised key strategic industries but left most of the rest of the economy in private hands.

Most modern socialist parties make less of a commitment to public or common ownership.

Question 15

What do marxists think about social class

Answer 15

Divide society into the ‘have’s – the Bourgeoisie and the ‘have-nots’ – the proletariat.

Capitalism oppresses the proletariat because they have to sell their labour for minimal gains.

The Bourgeoisie exploit this by using the proletariat to profit themselves.

Worker’s revolution is needed to overthrow the bourgeoisie, destroy capital, impose common ownership and eventually eliminate class difference.

Question 16

What do social Democrats think about social class

Answer 16

Focus more on the differences between manual and non-manual occupations.

Class differences are more fluid.

Targeted state intervention such as progressive taxation will help 
to narrow class differences.

Less focus on class these days because of class de-alignment.

Question 17

What do socialists think about workers control

Answer 17

Full democratic control over places of employment.

Marxism and syndicalism teach that human nature promotes collective effort and pursuit of group, rather than individual interests.

If workers have control over the means of production and the decision making, they will work together in the common interest as everybody will benefit.

Differing views of the state: syndicalists are basically anarchists. They reject the state and would prefer a system of workers’ control based on trade unions. British ‘guild’ socialists, that emerged in the early 20century called for state ownership and a sort of federation between trade unions, consumers’ organisations and local government bodies.

Socialists see workers’ control as a step towards a utopian socialist society.

Critics reject all of this claiming that workers’ have neither the
entrepreneurial skills or the knowledge of managers to simply take over and make a success of this new society.

Question 18

What happened during the Russian Revolution

Answer 18

Russian economy collapses under strain of World War I

Workers factory committees were establish to supervise or replace managers

Bolsheviks issued the decree on workers control giving additional powers to factory committees

Worried that factory committees would not follow Bolshevik directions

Question 19

What happened with the guild socialists in Britain

Answer 19

Gained momentum during World War I due to rise of left-wing shop stewards movements which code for workers control in war industries

State socialist advocated state ownership of industry and the workers controlled by delegated authority

Movement collapsed

Question 20

What are the themes behind revolutionary socialism

Answer 20

Originated in the 19th C and the industrial revolution

Was an attempt to radicalise the working class who were being exploited by capitalism.

Rejected democracy as the system was dominated by elites and workers had little say.

Genuine radical revolution was needed to overthrow the
old state and completely re-shape and reform a new socialist society.

Any attempts to work with or try to ‘humanise’ capitalism
undermines socialist ideals.

Adopted by many national liberation and independence movements in Africa, Asia and South America after the war.

‘Revolutionary road’ or building a path towards a complete socialist society – USSR, China and Cambodia.

Very undermined by the collapse of the Soviet Union and the communist states of Eastern Europe in the late 80’s and early 90’s.

Question 21

What was the key aims of the khmer Rouge and how did they do this

Answer 21

The party’s aim was to establish a classless communist state based on a rural agrarian economy and a complete rejection of the free market and capitalism.

They accomplish this by an armed revolution

Question 22

What are the themes behind social democracy

Answer 22

Emerged after the war.

Embraces democracy and seeks to reform rather than abolish capitalism.

View on capitalism - creation of wealth in itself is not wrong, just
the way it is distributed.

Peaceful, constitutional methods.

Social justice and sometimes Christian principles are at its core.

Wide range of perspectives.

Revisionism – Eduard Bernstein ‘Evolutionary socialism’ (1899).
Argued that the state should own key industries, safeguards and
welfare for workers but that capitalism could be managed
better.

Swedish Social Democratic Labour Party and the West German
Social Democratic Party had made this shift by the 1950’s.

In the UK, Labour was officially still committed to common
ownership (till 1995) but adopted this approach whenever in
government.

Question 23

What are the three key elements of social democracy

Answer 23

Support for a mixed economy. Combination of state and privately owned enterprises. Key strategic industries to be nationalised. E.g. Attlee government 1945-51.

Keynesian economics. You spend or invest money at times of
recession to boost or stimulate the economy. You also use taxation
and interest rates to manage demand within the economy. This will
sustain growth and deter recession.

Use the welfare state to redistribute wealth, tackle social inequality
and the problem of poverty by reforming capitalism.

Question 24

What where the problems for socialists int he 1970’s and 80’s

Answer 24

Downturn in the world economy – Oil Crisis 1973.

Higher unemployment, falling wages and higher inflation.

Lower tax revenue (due to fewer people working).

Other problems included the shrinking of the traditional industrial working class (traditional socialist/social democratic base) and the shift to a more service based economy.

Rise of a new aspirational working class.

Knock-on effect of the collapse of the Soviet Union also damaged the Left generally.

Question 25

What are the themes behind revolutionary socialism

Answer 25

A new approach.

Seen as an alternative to traditional social democracy and neo-liberal free market economics.

Best associated in Britain with the New Labour project from 1997-2010.

Question 26

What are the 5 key features of the Third Way or Neo-revisionism

Answer 26

Primacy of the market over the state

Value of community and moral responsibility

Social model based on consensus and harmony

Social inclusion

Competition or market state

Question 27

Why is Primacy of the market over the state important to the third way or Neo-revisionist

Answer 27

reject the top down state intervention. By endorsing a dynamic market economy and an enterprise culture to maximise wealth creation

Question 28

Why is Social model based on consensus and harmony important to the third way or Neo-revisionist

Answer 28

Views differ from a socialist focus on class difference and inequality. Consequently The third way advocates see no contradiction in endorsing opposing views or concepts

Question 29

Why is Social inclusion important to the third way or Neo-revisionist

Answer 29

individuals can only participate fully in society by acquiring their appropriate skills, rights and opportunities. Emphasis on equality of opportunity. Does not oppose great individual wealth providing it helps to improve the overall society. Welfare should target marginalised groups and provide people with assistance to improve their own organisation. Tony Blair-“a hand up, not a handout “ welfare support should be given to people seeking employment and wanting to be self-reliant

Question 30

Why is Competition or market state important to the third way or Neo-revisionist

Answer 30

Promoting a competitive state to develop the national workforce skills and knowledge base.
Focus on social investment, the competitive state emphasises the importance of education for improving a job prospects and boosting economic growth

Question 31

What does different fractions of socialist think about human nature

Answer 31

Socialists have a positive view on human nature and regard people as social creatures who are cooperative, sociable and rational

Behaviour is socially determined and people usually prefer to work together rather than competing against each other. Cooperation enables humans to form connections

Marxist socialist maintain that true corporation and communal instincts of humans can be liberated only by the removal of a capitalist system with the creation of a Communist society

Question 32

What do different factions of socialist think about the state

Answer 32

Marxist regard the state as an instrument of class rule . Arguing that under capitalism the ruling bourgeoisie use the state to maintain their dominance over the proletariat. In practice Marxist use capitalise states to organise most or all production and to control their population

Social Democrats argue that limited state intervention in social and economical affairs can safeguard the public and remedy the shortcomings of capitalism

The third way adopts a more sceptical attitude towards the state asserting that top-down state intervention in economic and social matters is both ineffective and inefficient but focus more on social intervention in infrastructure and education to improve job opportunities

Question 33

What do different factions of socialist think about the Society

Answer 33

Socialists have seen society has been characterised mainly by class inequalities, economic divisions and significant disparities in property ownership

Marxists argue that capitalist state is dominated by class conflict between the ruling bourgeoisie and the proletariat. Only communism with its commitment to classlessness and absolute equality can deliver a stable Society

Social Democrats except that class inequality exist but also maintain that social differences can be reduced through peaceful improvements such as welfare and redistribution schemes. Recognise that the deindustrialisation and the rise of the service economy has made society more middle class

The third way rejects the traditional socialist emphasis on the class distinctions and inequality instead stresses harmony, consensus and social inclusion

Question 34

What do different factions of socialist think about the state

Answer 34

Most socialist call for some form of intervention or planning in economic affairs because free-market economics cannot allocate wealth and resources fairly

Marxist advocate ownership of the means of production. They argue economic production will be determined solely by human need

Social Democrats endorse Keynesian intervention techniques to regulate capitalism and maintain employment and support welfare policies to redistribute wealth

The third way except the premise of the free market in the economy as it is the most efficient way of production resulting in economic growth benefiting everyone and encourages responsibility. Third wave project state intervention in the economy because it discourages investment and entrepreneurial ideas

Question 35

What where Marx and Engels views on socialism

Answer 35

Social class is central to socialism.

Only under communism can the best of human nature
be expressed.

The Communist Manifesto (1848) and Capital (Das Kapital) (1867).

3 key elements of Marxism:

Historical materialism. The economic system has always influenced every other aspect of society.

Dialectical change – there has always been a struggle between the ‘haves and have nots’. This will only end with the establishment of a communist society.

Class consciousness. Before the revolution can take place, the proletariat must firstly be aware of their own identity and establish how their goals are to be pursued.

In a materialistic society, the individual cannot realise his or her full potential, whereas if private property and class differences are eliminated, he/she can become a fully rounded individual.

Question 36

What did Beatrice Webb think of socialism

Answer 36

Rejected Marxist theory of class struggle, preferring
instead to pursue socialist goals through democratic
means – evolutionary socialism.

Rejected direct democracy as she felt the average voter was not well enough informed, preferring instead representative democracy where a skilled governing class could be relied upon to pursue socialist ideals.

A vastly expanded state that could deliver socialism to the masses was preferable.

Central planning of the economy was key.

Naively endorsed Stalinist Russia because she felt at the
time that its level of planning was in the public interest
and rather than being motivated by profit, it would benefit the whole of society instead.

Question 37

What was Rosa Luxemburg thinking of socialism

Answer 37

Rejected the idea of evolutionary socialism because it left capitalism intact.

Need for workers control and a complete overthrow of the capitalist system.

Capitalism is in the end, doomed. It will run out of markets and territories to exploit, so any attempts to work around it or
compromise with it will simply prolong its life.

Class consciousness and struggle by the proletariat is essential.

Disagreed with Lenin’s belief that a small, rigidly centralised group was needed to overthrow capitalism.

Question 38

What does Antony Crosland think about socialism

Answer 38

Capitalism had changed since the days of Marx.

In terms of Britain, there now existed a welfare state, nationalised industries and bargaining power for trade unions. The appetite for revolution simply did not exist.

Capitalism had actually led to an improvement in living standards.

Socialism should now concentrate on managing capitalism to pursue the following goals:

1. Economic efficiency
2. A more community based society
3. Individual responsibility should be rewarded, rather than just talents and abilities
4. Social justice

Supported redistribution and Keynesian economics.

Wanted to expand the comprehensive school system, destroy grammar schools and increase access to higher education.

Question 39

What did Anthony Giddens thinking behind socialism

Answer 39

Social democrats need to adapt to and embrace the free market, understanding that entrepreneurship and capitalism can be harnessed to create wealth for all.

The Third Way: The Renewal of Social Democracy (1998). The book draws on the strengths of social democracy
but also on the neo-liberal free market.

Past experience had shown that top-down state intervention was both inefficient and ineffective.

The state should focus on investing more in the infrastructure of society – training, education, expert advice and so on).

Community is vital

Critics on the Left argue that it departs so far from socialism in its embrace of the free market that it can hardly be regarded as socialism at all.