evolutionary socialism: social democracy

Question 1

who was a social democrat?

Answer 1

-Anthony Crosland, who was a senior Labour politician & cabinet member in the ’60s & ’70s.
-1918-1977
-Social Democrat (Evolutionary).
-“The Future of Socialism” (1956) helped develop the idea of social democracy. Also, “The Conservative Enemy” (1962) & “Socialism Now” (1974).

Question 2

what did he believe?

Answer 2

-He criticised the negative view of capitalist development, arguing that it didn’t drive socialist change. He thought that the internal tensions Marx argued for were not prevalent in post-war capitalism. Society was less polarised between employers and employees. The new classes of ‘managers’ & ‘technocrats’ were not as clear cut as Marx thought.
-Socalism was best served as “state managed capitalism.” Rather than public ownership, it should be facilitated by greater government spending on public services. The objective of socialism was not public ownership, but equality.
-Keynesianism had made this a reality, and he thought that society could look forward to permanent economic growth, which would allow further expanison of welfare.
-Advocated for equality of opportunity/outcome by creating comprehensive schools that would cater for all abilities and break down the social segregation of grammar schools, while he was Education Sec (1965-7).
-A ‘mixed’ economy of private enterprise/ownership with key services owned by the state.

Question 3

key quotes?

Answer 3

-“Evolutionary and revolutionary philosophies of progress have proved false.”
-“Marx had little or nothing to offer the contemporary socialist.” -> modern society was “infinitely more complex than Marx could ever have imagined.”
-“State-managed capitalism.”