Socialism Flashcards
(13 cards)
Karl Marx and Engles
- revolutionary socialists
- set out foundations of socialist thought
- critique capitalism
- for workers revolution
- aim for communist society
- dialectic - history of class struggle and inevitable class struggle due to materialism and capitalism. Clash of perception/ideas over years, once what was accepted and is accepted by ruling may change and be rejected by majority causing tensions but forming a new society as a result with altered values
- oppression of proletariat by bourgeoisie leading to revolution
- class conflict embedded in state and must be removed by revolution
- achieving class consciousness
- necessary revolution
- humans are naturally social beings and require positive common humanity
Beatrice Webb
- confounded Fabian society
- evolutionary socialist
- away from revolutionary socialist ideas
- supported democratic and parliament to achieve socialism
- state expanded until capitalism abolished
- collectivism
- no need for complete overthrow of state
Rosa Luxembourg
- revolutionary socialist
- associated with Marxism and opposed Webbs views
- necessity of revolution by working class
Reject evolutionary socialism as it dilutes socialisms revolutionary potential - revolution lead by working class irony way to achieve socialism
- capitalism should be completely overthrown
- emphasised trade unionism to achieve class counciousness
Anthony Crosland
- social democratic socialist
- more mixed economy
- spread equality of opportunity not absolute equality
- capitalism can be managed to purse equality
- Keynesianism to solve unemployment and stimulate demand and stable growth
- govt intervention
- not absolute equality
Some taxation to help redistribution - state managed capitalism!!!!!
- nationalisation
- welfare spending
Anthony Gideon’s
- Third Way !!!
- influenced shift in Labour Party but equality of opportunity and individualism
- rejected states intervention and capitalism isn’t flawed
- favoured privatisation
- state should power individuals in economy
- Create equal opportunity
- education for all is key to empower individuals
- strong welfare state
- community over class conflict
- focus of shared future not dictatorship
Collectivism
- collective human effort greater practical value to economy and moral value to society than individual
- Marx and Engles - large scale workforces collectively owning industry and all agencies of society communal
- e.g. Soviet Union
- crosland suspicious of M,E AND B liking collectivism
- Gideon’s view influenced by neoliberals
Common humanity
- human social creatures
- human behaviour socially determined
- society is collection of broadly equal individuals with common identity and purpose
- fraternity
Equality
- believe in foundational equality
- all should have equality of opportunity
Revolutionary socialists - equality
EOOp - achieved after revolution because capitalism is so corrupt
EOOc - dismissed as it presupposed capitalism could be rid of exploitation which is impossible
Absolute - each individual contributes and takes what they need
Equality of welfare - rejected for failure to remove capitalism
Democratic socialism - equality
EOOp - only achieved when capitalism reformed to common ownership society
EOOc - gradual process for redistribution more even
Absolute - did not advocate - some wage difference
Welfare - achieved by mass nationalisation, achieved by redistribution
Social democrats - equality
EOOp - mixed economy with keynsian idea. Break down class barriers, progressive taxation, expansive welfare state
EOOc - against pure equality as it weakens economy
Absolute - dismissed
Welfare - reduce class conflict
Third way - equality
EOOp - target neediest in society (underclass), abandon universal welfare
EOOc - wage equality of outcome was impracticality and damage economy
Absolute - dismissed and its flawed. Inequality is natural concept of society
Welfare - creates dependency culture
Social class
- group in society who have same socioeconomic status
- capitalism creates class division and hierarchy
- revolutionary thinks problems can be solved by revolution
