Core values and ideas of the labour party Flashcards
What two sections can labour party history be split into?
The lod labour period, running from the early days until the 1990s; and the new labour period, running from the 1990s until today
Why is the idea that labour was ever a socialist party an illusion?
It has never proposed a woker’s state or attempted to abolish capitalism. It is therefore better understood as a social democratic party
What is the best way to understand old labour?
By looking at its general values rather than its actual policy, focusing on the period between 1945-1983
Describe the old labour value of equality
Supports the redistribution of income to educe the worst inequalities. A better characterisation of equality for the labour party would be social justice. Labour has always supported formal equality (meaning equality under the law)
Describe the old labour value of class conflict
Old labour tended to see society in terms of class conflict. arguing that the interests of the working class and the middle class can never be reconciled, so governments must favour the interests of the disadvanteaged working class
Describe the old labour value of equality of opportunity
They did this upon recognising that total equality was not feasible. This is the idea that all should have equal life chances no matter what their background
Describe the old labour value of collectivism
This is a general idea held by socialists of all kinds. Its the idea that the majority of our goals are achieved better collectively than individually. Practical applications include the welfare state, trade unions and worker cooperatives
Describe the old labour value of common ownership
This is public ownership of the major, strategic industries, run by the state on behalf of the people
Describe the old labour value of trade unionism
Old labour recognised that workers were weak compared to their employers. Support for trade unions was therefore vital in redressing the power inbalance between employers and employees
Describe the old labour value of trade unionism
Old labour recognised that workers were weak compared to their employers. Support for trade unions was therefore vital in redressing the power inbalance between employers and employees
Describe the old labour value of statism
This was the idea that the cental state could play a key role in the economy to secure social goals. If such responsibilities are in the hands of the state, it should ensure equal treatment for all
Describe the old labour value of welfarism
Associated with collectivism, this is the idea that every member of society should be protected by a welfare system to which all should contribute
What were the two main periods where old labour could turn its ideas into political reform?
1945-51 and 1964-79
List the main ways that old labour managed to convert their values into political action during their periods in government
- The welfare state and NHS were created in the 1940s
- Trade unions were granted wide powers to take industrial action in the interests of their members
- Major industries were nationalised in the interest of the community and the workers in those industries. Among these industries were coal, steel, rail, energy and shipbuilding
- Taxes were raised on high incomes in order to pay for welfare and redistribute income to the poor
- Comprehensive education was introduced in the 1960s to improve equality of opportunity
- Discrimination against women and ethnic minorities was outlawed in the 1960s and 70s
- Equal pay for women was introduced
Which two ideologies did new labour propose to be a ‘third way’ between?
Socialism and the free-market, neoliberal ideas of the conservatives under Thatcher
Explain new labour’s rejection of class conflict
They believed all citizens were entitled to assistance from the state
Explain New Labour’s acceptance of capitalism
They accepted that it was the best way of creating wealth, so markets should remain largley free from state control
Explain the New Labour idea of the ‘enabling state’
They recognised that capitalism could operate against the interests of consumers, so it should be regulated, but not controlled. They believed the state should allow the economy to generate wealth by giving it help where it was necessary, but they thought the state should not engage in production itself
Explain the New Labour idea of ‘individualism’
They removed the emphasis on collectivism after recognising that people prefer to achieve their goals individually. They saw this as a fundamental aspect of human nature
Explain the New Labour idea of equality of opportunity
It was thought that welfare and education would create opportunities for people to better themselves
Explain the New Labour idea of communitarianism
This is the concept that although people are individuals with individual goals, they are also part of an organic community and have duties and obligations in return for our individual life chances. This is a weaker form of collectivism
Why was New Labour committed to constitutional and political reform?
They recognised that the UK was deeply undemocratic and rights were unprotected
What did Blair and Brown resist the temptation of doing?
Raising taxes on high incomes to pay for improved welfare, preferring to use government borrowing to do this instead. This was made viable by the economic boom experienced by the UK in the late 90s and early 00’s
Give some examples of the policies in the New Labour political programme
- Reduced corporation tax to encourge enterprise
- Increased NHS expenditure
- Large investment in education, especially early years education#
- An extensive programme of constitutional reform including the HRA, devolution, FOI and electoral reform in devolved administrations
- Various policies designed to tackle poverty were introduced through the tax and welfare system, with a major emphasis on child and prisoner poverty
- Introduced ‘welfare to work’ schemed to encorage employment
