Socialism Flashcards

Question

Outline Revisionism as a means and ends

Answer 1

One of the leading proponents of revisionism within the labour movement is Eduard Bernstein (1961). As a member of the German Social Democratic Party, Bernstein argued that the party’s ideological stance had to recognise the material aspirations of the working-class. In doing so, the SPD could appear more credible as an electoral force and thereby gain office to implement a left-wing agenda. Bernstein also argued that the ends were more important than the conventional Marxist means of state ownership (which could be gradually socialised in accordance with the strategy of incrementalism). As such, Bernstein and his associate Karl Kautsky claimed that the goal of a society built upon social justice was more important than the means. From a more left-wing standpoint, the French theorist and activist Louis Althusser sought to modify the original teachings of Marx towards modern society. Althusser argued that the media and other institutions transmit a set of bourgeoisie values and beliefs. What he called the ideological state apparatus is utilised by the ruling class to prevent the growth of class consciousness amongst members of the subject class. Along with the church and the education system, the media portrays capitalism and its resultant class conflict as natural and inevitable. What is routinely presented as ‘common sense’ is designed therefore to serve an ideological purpose. The ideological state apparatus ultimately enables the hegemony of the bourgeoisie to be maintained from one generation to the next.

Answer 2

Fundamentalist – someone who seeks to abolish capitalism and replace it with a different system

Answer 3

Revisionists and fundamentalists agree on the fundamental principles of socialism. They all take an optimistic view on human nature, arguing that humans are naturally cooperative, generous and altruistic. - Karl Marx and Engle's argue that human nature is fraternal but, has been contaminated by capitalism. - Anthony Crosland argues that human nature has a powerful sense of fairness and an innate objection to inequality. They also agree on the need for greater equality and on the concept of 'foundational equality' . This is the idea that all humans are born with natural equal rights and therefore, deserve equal opportunities. They all agree that greater equality in society is needed to ensure that foundational equality is not disregarded. - Marx and Engles argued were the first to recognise class inequalities, and they argued that this was due to the exploitation of the bourgeoise of the proletariat. They believed that the only way to reduce such inequality was to overthrow the capitalist state and to create a new economy. - Webb agreed on the need for greater equality. This can be seen in her Royal commission which argued that the state should provide guaranteed wages, nourishment and training, to ensure greater equality. - Similarly, Crosland argued for the importance of improved equality. This can be seen in his introduction of comprehensive schools to improve equality of opportunity.

Answer 4

However, they differ on their views that capitalism should be abolished as part of their key principles. Revolutionary and Evolutionary socialists believe that capitalism should be abolished as it promotes inequality by enforcing differences between the bourgeoise and the proletariat. Marx and Engels claimed that capitalism is corrupt, inefficient and ultimately self destructive. They argued that it was a system of corruption where the bourgeoise exploits the proletariat. They argue that it It should and will be completely replaced by an economy based on collective ownership and by a dictatorship of the proletariat. In agreement Webb also argues that capitalism is chaotic and should be replaced completely. She argued that it was the cause of 'crippling poverty and demeaning inequality', and that this could only be resolved through its abolition via a socialist state. In comparison to this, democratic socialists and third way thinkers Crosland and Giddens believe that capitalism can be used to enhance inequality. Meaning it should be reformed rather than abolished. Crosland argued that a mixed economy, underpinned by limited public ownership and Keynesian capitalism, will finance the greater public spending necessary to secure equality. Giddens argued that a Neo liberal economy, propelled by privatisation and deregulation, will provide huge tax yields. This will finance huge increases in public spending, which will secure greater equality of opportunity. Therefore, they see that there can be benefits in capitalism.

Answer 5

There is also stark disagreement between revisionists and fundamentalists on the methods that should be used to adapt and establish a socialist system. - Revolutionary fundamentalists such as Marx and Engle's argue that a revolution of the proletariat is needed to overthrow and replace the capitalist state. They believe that this is inevitable due to the class consciousness of the proletariat who will want to abolish the capitalists who exploit them. - To contrast, although Webb is also a fundamentalist she argues that change will happen through the 'inevitability of gradualness'. She criticises the methods of Marx and argues that revolutions are dangerous. Instead a socialist state will gradually implement new policy. - In contrast to both Webb and Marx, revisionists argue that there is no need for a revolution or for the gradual replacement of capitalism. Instead they argue that a socialist state could use the positives of capitalism to achieve socialist goals. - Where Marx and Engles stress the importance of collective ownership, Third way socialists such as Giddens advocate free-markets and privatisation. This is because they believe that this will produce increased tax yields which would fund wealth redistribution. - Similarly, social Democrat Antony Crosland argued that equality could be achieved through a managed capitalist economy. He believed that the future of socialist governments was not more common ownership but more public spending and better welfare. - This contrasts both Webb and Marx who were staunch advocates on the importance of common ownership. - Therefore, their methods are very different.

Answer 6

An area of disagreement here concerns whether capitalism is compatible or incompatible with the compassionate socialist society that is believed to be intrinsic in human nature. Revolutionary socialists like Marx view capitalism as a disruption to this utopia they champion for through revolution and social democrats along with the Third Way believe it may succeed under this egoistic system. Evolutionary socialists Agree that capitalism could have a corrupting effect on human nature, but they thought that even without violent revolution, people were already expressing their natural preference; collective action. This is shown by establishing their own cooperatives and trade unions. Webb believed that the clear and strong economic and moral case for socialism made it possible to persuade rational human beings that socialism was in everyone's best interest and trying without human nature. Giddens rejects state intervention and accepts the free market in the economy as he believes there is no alternative to capitalism. He embraces this pragmatic approach to socialism by wanting to limit the welfare state to avoid creating a dependency culture. He believes in wealth creation rather than re-distribution. The role of public ownership in the emergence of a socialist society. Democratic socialists and fundamentalist strands of socialism view public ownership as an end rather than as a means of a socialist society. Social democrats view it as a means which is not sacred and Third Way socialists do not regard it as a means or ends. Hence, Blair's revoking of Clause 4 from the Labour constitution which committed the party to public ownership. One way in which socialists agree over means rather than ends is through the idea of collectivism. The socialist stance on collectivism rests upon an assumption that the number of those disadvantaged by the unfettered marketplace is far greater than those who benefit. Numerically, those who might be classed as members of the proletariat are greater than those who might be classed as the bourgeoisie. This is particularly striking in the context of the global economy, where the benefits and rewards are distributed in a dramatically uneven manner. According to the socialist argument, the accumulation of wealth within a system based upon capitalism is neither fair nor justifiable. Despite what those on the right of the political spectrum might claim, wealth does not trickle down towards all members of society. Even in one of the wealthiest economies in the world, signs of extreme wealth exist only a few blocks away from food banks and homeless people sleeping rough. Socialists are all united behind the ideal that society should be more equal and egalitarian to achieve a collective society. Cooperation with others is better than individualism, as humans are naturally altruistic social beings. The alternative to this- an individual self-striving society (capitalism)- often leads to conflict and unnecessary competition. Collective human effort is of both greater practical and moral value than the effort of individuals in society. Anthony Crosland = action taken by groups is more effective than action taken by individuals, as 'capitalism had matured' enough to cooperate with trade unions like 'Unite the Union' (founded in 2007, ensures all employees get the best representation in the workplace). Utopian socialists Charles Fourier and Robert Owen argued for small-scale cooperative communities organised collectively as a way of promoting socialist values. Democratic Socialist Beatrice Webb and the Fabian society informed many of the collectivist policies of Atlees governments of 1945-51; nationalisation and top-down management. Socialists believe that capitalism creates and reinforces harmful social class divisions that result in societal hierarchies. While socialists can agree on a broad critique of social class, they disagree on how best to rectify the problem they have diagnosed. Revolutionary socialists like marx and luxemburg argue for revolution, evolutionary webb, crosland and giddens all have different ideas for reconciling social class division. Marx and Engels argued that differences between social class could not be reconciled within a capitalist system and therefore revolution was inevitable. Webb shared this analysis but argued that the nature of state could be altered from serving capitalism to delivering a socialist state - would introduce universal nationalisation. Social democrats like Crosland were critical of the collectively minded utilitarianism of Webb's ideas and the uniformity of nationalisation, which he felt compromised the freedom of the individual and would make the state a 'dull functional nightmare'. Crosland argued that education reinforced class division and his most famous attempt at equality of opportunity was to create comprehensive schools.

Answer 7

Equality of outcome is a concept, realisable through state policies and systems, in which all individuals have approximately the same material wealth and income. This is in opposition to the concept of meritocracy where the successes of individuals is determined by their abilities, regardless of inequalities of outcome. Revolutionary socialists, in particular, support equality of outcome, whilst social democrats and third-way 'socialists' are much more sceptical of this concept. Whilst it can be argued that socialists are committed to equality to a significant extent; this essay will argue that the differing tensions within socialism dispute whether equality of outcome is practical or indeed required for a fairer society. - Revolutionary socialists support equality of outcome. - M & E believed in common ownership over means of production in communist economy. - Marx: `From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs", - interpreted as his desire to create society where needs not determined by effort or other factors. - The existing state, that is biassed toward the ruling bourgeois class thrives on inequality, and stands in favour of hostility and competition. This state should be overthrown in social revolutions to establish communist institutions as part of the 'dictatorship of the proletariat' (this was seen in the Russian revolution 1918-21). - As a 'class consciousness' develops with the proletariat becomes aware of their exploitation, they will seek to strive for equality between workers. - Although Rosa Luxembourg warned against undemocratic, dictatorial revolutions that diminished the proletariat, she also accepted the need for equality of outcome. These revolutions are inevitable as capitalism is inherently unsustainable as 'surplus value' eventually runs out of consumer markets and collapses. - Revolutionary socialists aspire towards a society where the economy is centrally-planned with common ownership over means of production, determined solely by human need. This will eradicate socio-economic inequality as all individuals are entitled to the same and equal rewards of labour, dismissing differential outcomes based on abilities. - This is further enabled by curtailing private ownership and resolving the inherent contradiction within capitalism between production and wealth accumulation. Thus, revolutionary socialists are committed to equality of outcome to a significant extent. - Social democrats support equality of outcome to a much lesser extent than revolutionary socialists, favouring equality of opportunity instead. - Some see equality of outcome to be desirable but unachievable, instead they opt for the "inevitability of gradualness" as Beatrice Webb called for. Webb dismissed the Marxist belief in class conflict, supporting the introduction of socialism via democratic institutions (evolutionary socialism). - In this way, social democrats oppose the revolutionary overthrowing of the state and reject the Marxist view of capitalism. She argued a more evolutionary approach, calling for incremental changes to Capitalism, would lead inevitably to a more Socialist society. This is achieved through state intervention and managed Capitalism, argued by the revisionist Crossland as the best way to create a fairer society. He called for universal benefits, a mixed economy and state intervention particularly in creating opportunities for all. - Crosland looked to State education, public housing and income maintenance for the liberation of potential that would make the selective process of competitive capitalism into a genuinely fair race. Although equality of opportunity may lead to differing outcomes, social democrats saw equal opportunity as a means to denying massive income and wealth inequalities. - Revolutionaries would argue that social democrats were at best naive to accept a market economy would ever create equality, instead they stood guilty of furthering inequalities by giving life to Capitalism. Unlike revolutionary socialists, third-way 'socialists' dismiss the concept of equality of outcome altogether. - Giddens rejected state intervention as encouraging a culture of dependency, and discouraging investment and entrepreneurship through the eradication of financial inducements. In this way, third-way socialists promote the priority of the market over the state, rejecting 'top-down' state intervention (exhibited under revolutionary and, to a lesser extent, social democracy socialism) in favour of further privatisation and deregulation as the opposite stifles economic growth. - Third-way socialists hold a belief in a 'competitive state' that develops the skills and knowledge base of the workforce, improving job prospects of individuals and boosting economic growth - as opposed to common ownership. He called this "equality of inclusion" and argued his approach stood between market Capitalism and social democracy, suggesting his thinking was in line with the ultimate aims of socialism. - Unlike revolutionary socialism that holds a belief that private ownership within laissez-faire capitalism perpetuates socio-economic inequality and the oppression of the proletariat, these socialists do not necessarily oppose the huge accumulation of private wealth, instead they promote targeted welfare toward socially-marginalised groups as part of the concept of social inclusion to promote equality of opportunity and genuine meritocracy (social justice). - This can be seen in a raft of policies under Tony Blair's government, influenced by the Third Way, investing in schools and hospitals but making choices the enabler to success as well as introducing tax credits for the poorest of families. Thus, third-way socialists are not committed to equality of outcome but Giddens would say they belong to the socialist tradition because he, like social democrats such as Webb, want to achieve equality for all. Social Democrats would argue against Giddens, suggesting his form of equality would be too weak to work against immense wealth disparities. Revolutionaries would question the 'socialist' credentials of Giddens and would claim his commitment to the free market in effect brought him closer to Capitalism. Most socialists aspire to an equal society but do not agree on equality of outcomes. Revolutionary socialists are committed to equality of outcome that can only be realised through revolution. On the other hand, social democrats, although they believe in the ideal of equality of outcome, favour equality of opportunity through the expansion of the state to introduce socialist policies to ensure social justice, they see this as practical and creating harmony between the owners of capital and the workers. The Third Way rejects equality of outcome and neither sees it as an ideal or a positive measure of success.

Answer 8

Positive welfare Minimum national wage Tax credits provided to workers 10% tax rate for individuals with low incomes Grants for educational maintenance offered to disadvantaged students Implementation of a 'New Deal' to assist the unemployed in securing jobs Social welfare system Inclusion of dedication to social justice in the New Labour Party constitution Focusing on addressing issues impacting the 'underclass', such as poverty, limited educational achievements, substance dependency, inadequate housing, and ineffective parenting, through the welfare-to-work initiative Education - Giddens advocated for a 'redistribution for all' Establishment of academy schools in 2000: Blair suggested it would enhance student performance and disrupt the cycle of low expectations Promotion of competition among schools through league tables (a neoliberal concept) to enhance effectiveness, allowing parents the freedom to select their child's school (encouraging civic involvement) Blair's education-oriented policies boosted university enrollment. From 3.4% in 1950, it increased to 19.3% in 1970, and by 2017, it soared to 49% New Labour supported Giddens' concept of lifelong learning to enable individuals to adjust to the dynamic twenty-first-century job market: 'Education must be redefined to concentrate on skills that individuals can develop throughout their lives' Encouragement of self-sufficiency (restructuring the welfare system) Between 1997 and 2010, New Labour raised public expenditure to develop what Giddens referred to as 'social capital,' including schools, hospitals, and public structures, alongside initiatives like Crossrail (which introduced the Elizabeth line on the London Underground) and the campaign for the 2012 Olympic Games. Instead of being managed by the government, New Labour outsourced the construction projects to the private market through the use of private finance initiative (PFI) and public-private partnerships (PPPs). Approaches towards crime Rejection of government control Promotion of community values Introduction of university tuition fees Conditional welfare support contingent on individuals actively seeking employment Justice system that combined authoritarianism and reform by being 'tough on crime and its root causes' Amendment of Clause IV in the Labour Party constitution, signaling the end of Labour's dedication to public ownership Acknowledgment of the advantages of the free market by not reverting to a mixed economy following the Conservative governments' privatization of national services from 1979 to 1997 Devolvement of powers to Scotland and Wales, alongside the election of mayors

Answer 9

Both believed in democracy and rejected Leninism/Stalinism- (However many democratic socialists admired Stalin's centralised and planned economy in the 1930s) Both saw socialism as inevitable and would be achieved peacefully both believed in a welfare state. Democratic Socialism is associated with the Webbs and figures such as HG Wells. Bernard Shaw and with the Fabian Society. Webb’s democratic socialism argued for reform: overthrowing capitalism via the ballot box. In this sense it was a democratic revolutionary movement. The original Clause 4 of the Labour Party constitution is a democratic socialist aspiration. socialist state would see the free-market economy gradually nationalised as the workers obtained common ownership. Democratic Socialists tended to believe in bureaucracy and technical experts who would manage the economy through rational planning. Postwar Labour governments were only partially swayed by her economic ideas, nationalising state utilities but allowing private companies to exist in a free market. Webb’s ‘Minority Report’ to the Royal Commission on the Poor Laws (1909) was a key influence on the development of the post-war welfare state. Social Democracy is associated with the ideas of Anthony Crosland. Crosland’s book The Future of Socialism (1956) profoundly influenced the Labour Party in the post-war period. He dismissed Marxism as irrelevant and Webb’s socialist state as flawed. It did not call for the overthrow of capitalism and social democracy became the first branch of socialism to recognise a positive role for the free market. It did not see state ownership and centralised planning as the best way to achieve a fairer and more prosperous. State intervention, via Keynesian regulation of the economy, would ensure continual full employment and economic growth. Progressive taxation would help fund the welfare state and the social engineering- through education, would be required to create an egalitarian society.

Socialism Flashcards

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