SOCIALISM Flashcards
(57 cards)
1
Q
describe the broad socialist view of human nature
A
- optimistic view of human nature
- belief that society shapes human nature
- enforce importance of community + unity - goals are only brought by working together
- rely on one another, not individual
- human nature is malleable and able to be improved, to ensure individuals fulfil their true potential
- the individual cannot operate without society, because individuals are not atomistic
- humans are naturally co-operative, generous and altruistic
- there is this notion of fraternity, - humans being tied / linked through the burden of common humanity
- human beings crave collective action to pursue goals by working together
- humans will naturally co-operate with one another rather than compete and squash selfishness
- support sympathy, care and affection
- humans naturally have a sense of social responsibility and want to contribute to the common good
- humans are motivated by moral incentive not material wealth
- humans think and act together with those in which they have a common interest
- support the notion of nurture
2
Q
describe the broad socialist view of society
A
- society = sum of individuals, individuals = products of society
- society influences your behaviour
- the nature of the society you live in influences your destiny
- class is fundamental in society as it determines individual fate
- social classes are actors in history, bc class allows for inter-personal affiliation / sharing of common interest, not individuals
- only collective action can inspire critical change
- collective social effort is of greater moral value than the individual
- society is close knit + inseparable from individual
- greater emphasis on society than the individual (individuals are not the masters of individual destiny, society is)
- unity and social cohesion allows for a larger degree of change
- however, class divides society (but society must be collectivist), so class must be overhauled to bring back collectivism
- if society is more equal, individual improvement will follow
3
Q
describe the broad socialist view of the state
A
- the state is there to enforce change in society and implement socialist ideals
4
Q
bullet point the 5 core ideas of socialism
A
- collectivism
- common humanity
- equality
- social class
- workers’ control
5
Q
describe the socialist view of collectivism
A
- the notion that humans should work together and promote unity + co-operation in order to bring greater value to society and the economy
- emphasis of the collective group, not the individual
- collectivism strengthens group positions against oppressors in society
- believe that working together encourages co-operation, equality and will lower socio-economic inequalities
- idea that society is greater than the sum of its parts
- if individuals are too self-focused and self-interested, individuals will fail to develop meaningful connections, causing atomism and inhibiting change
- if we work together, we make meaningful, large-scale change
6
Q
describe the broad socialist view of the economy
A
- economic growth should help finance welfare to help the most vulnerable
- collective ownership, dispersed property power + equality
- private property threatens collectivism and promotes competition
- greater workers control of econ
- more wealth distribution
- reject laissez faire capitalism (don’t support low tax + minimal interference bc that drives injustice)
- economic collectivism (progressive tax, progressive public spending, public services, state regulation of capitalism, state ownership / common ownership)
- the economy should focus on collective effort to be more efficient
- economics should focus on providing for society
- in order to have equality of opportunity, you must change the economy
7
Q
ideas of marx on human nature
A
- human nature is naturally altruistic
- capitalism installs people with a sense of false consciousness
- capitalism has encouraged humans to be selfish, ruthless and greedy
- capitalism deters from original human nature of fraternity and co-operation
- a new economic system is required to bring back true, community based human nature
8
Q
ideas of marx on society
A
- there is a class conflict in society, as the elite oppress the working class
- capitalism corrupts society and places some in higher positions, which they use to degrade others
- feel a communist society is needed to have equality
- capitalism created a bourgeoisie, ruling class, and a proletariat working class, of which this difference created social inequalities and exploitation
- a proletariat revolution would be needed to shake the fundamentals of society and impose communism
- a communist society would have equality and harmony
- revolution in society is essential and INEVITABLE
- because the class system is so unequal, the ability to reach potential is centralised with upper classes, which makes society so divided - class systems should be overhauled to promote unity in society
- class divisions are about capital + labour, the only way to solve this conflict is revolution
- classes are what drive social change
9
Q
ideas of marx on the state
A
- the state is not politically neutral, it is merely an extension of bourgeoisie influence and power
- argued the state serves in the interests of whichever class has economic control
- capitalism must be destroyed by revolution, and when it is, there will be a dictatorship of the proletariat which will rule to represent the masses, which will erode when communism develops
- this proletariat state would erode to create a classless society and be replaced by communism
10
Q
ideas of marx on the economy
A
- belief in common ownership to benefit and help the masses in society
- belief that capitalism is corrupt and inefficient
- an economy is needed whereby resources are collectively owned and distributed according to need
11
Q
ideas of luxemburg on human nature
A
- humans are damaged by capitalism, but humans are not perfect
- capitalism contradicts the natural fraternal instincts of humans
12
Q
ideas of luxemburg on society
A
- capitalism corrupts society and promotes exploitation
- capitalism creates a class conflict which oppresses and exploits the working classes
- feel the need to have a democratic, communist state for harmony, no dictatorship of proletariat
- evolutionary social change is impossible, a revolution is NEEDED
- revolution will arise due to class consciousness
- belief in mass social change and action to undermine a capitalist state
- socialism is a transnational and international thing
- quick and immediate revolution
- ordered revolution in society to bring democracy
- favours social revolution, not reform, to induce wider change, as revolution creates permanent reform - reform is only continuing what was there before
- democracy is indispensable to reduce power of bourgeoisie, democracy brings class consciousness
13
Q
ideas of luxemburg on the state
A
- a parliamentary democracy is needed to prevent tyranny
- capitalism should be destroyed by a revolution, and replaced by democracy
- does not want a dictatorship of the proletariat, she wants a new democracy (of debate + elections)
- feels that a democratic society is the most needed, and not centralised power
- public control, away from elite, private control
- state must act in the interests of the masses
- fear of substitutionism and the idea that a ruling party would substitute itself for the proletariat
14
Q
ideas of luxemburg on the economy
A
- capitalism doesn’t need to reach and end state before revolution, you need a revolution NOW
- belief in common ownership to revitalise society
- communist revolutions can occur in any society, even in less developed ones
15
Q
ideas of webb on human nature
A
- capitalism is a corrupting force in society, because it promotes greed and selfishness
- however, humans are imperfect anyways, do capitalism is only something which reinforces this imperfection rather than creates it
- capitalism damages the human psyche, but there was imperfection anyways
16
Q
ideas of webb on society
A
- social paternalism cannot solve the capitalist problem
- social reform must be gradual - “inevitability of gradualism”
- change to society means elite groups must be permeated by rational and humane socialist ideals
- we should have a socialist society which promotes suffrage
- believes a new elite will develop in society, because the average workers lacks the education
- revolution and change is inevitable
- political elite will take over, through peaceful, democratic ways
- through enfranchisement and class consciousness, change will occur
- believes in experts taking control
- much less radical change in society
17
Q
ideas of webb on the state
A
- trade union power and state intervention will help to eliminate poverty and inequality
- there will be a new educated class which will gradually come through in society
- make reforms within the existing political structure and within parliament
- produced a “minority report” claiming that the state must be more interventionist and involved to help train and nourish people to have a secure livelihood, irrespective of wage, illness etc
- supported increasing intervention and a welfare state to help the vulnerable in society
- through a socialist political system, we can have equality of outcome
18
Q
ideas of webb on the economy
A
- capitalism is the main cause of poverty and inequality
- helped write the 1919 clause IV of the labour party constitution (idea of commitment to common ownership)
- support common ownership, as the free market economy becomes gradually nationalised (state intervention in economy)
- doesn’t believe in worker’s control
19
Q
ideas of crosland on human nature
A
- human nature is innately fair
- inequality of outcome and opportunity hinder collective human progress
20
Q
ideas of crosland on society
A
- society should have adequate social justice systems and equality of welfare
- a degree of inequality in society is beneficial to all
- believe in democratic equality
- socialism can be defined by equality and social justice, it cannot just be defined by class conflict
- society is not as polarized as marx was portraying, as the new class which had emerged had different perspectives than those in traditional marxism
- social justice is more important than common ownership, marxs would disagree with this primacy
- objective in society is equality
- accepts inequality (meritocracy) and inequality of outcome (incentive)
21
Q
ideas of crosland on the state
A
- the state must be managed by those who are “meritocratic managers”
- it should be ruled by a neutral and classless elite
- state intervention will act as a catalyst for social justice
- strong welfare state
- if the state manages capitalism, societies will continue to grow, improve employment and drive a welfare state, which will diminish equality
22
Q
ideas of crosland on the economy
A
- mixed economy and keynesian capitalism
- equality can still be achieved in a managed capitalist system (disagree w marx)
- msnsgerialism - new, completely separate class of managers had dominated societies
- capitalism is not exploitative
- capitalism has been altered by the spread of democracy, tax, trade unions and welfare
- state involvement in business
- progressive taxation
- public ownership has not gone far enough
- public spending and public services (atlee government) + welfare
- nationalisation would erode individual freedom
- we shouldn’t take what we need, we should take what we earn
- capitalism is business friendly - promotes growth to finance a welfare state
- keynesian economics = growth + employment
- capitalism creates a richer, classless + fairer society
23
Q
ideas of giddins on human nature
A
- socio-economic conditions shape human nature, it is not purely capitalism
- humans are individual and a part of the collective, they are not just a part of society (atomistic approach?)
- capitalism has corrosive effects on community and fraternity, which would not be reversed
- emphasis on individual may undermine cohesive society
24
Q
ideas of giddins on society
A
- society should embrace equality of opportunity and community spirit
- society should not operate on ideas of class conflict
- the individualism of society will only reduce personal freedom - you need community to be free
- a decline in local community will sap confidence
- lack of community spirit makes people more susceptible to the work of elites
- accepted that you can work for greater equality of opportunity, but that doesn’t necessarily mean outcome
- need gradual change in society
- marxist expectations are unrealistic
25
ideas of giddins on the state
- the state should be involved - interventionist
- supports a welfare state to help the vulnerable in society (redistribution, but to a different extent to marx*)
- believes in social justice measures and infrastructure
- the state should keep out of the economy to be more efficient, but the state must invest in infrastructure (ie education and transport)
- state and people should work together to promote pragmatic responses and adapt society (triangulation)
26
ideas of giddins on the economy
- neo-liberal economy
- free market -- drives efficiency
- business friendly economy - capitalism has benefits and is not always unhealthy
- there is no alternative to capitalism
- free market capitalism has economic benefits
- capitalism only works if there is strong social cohesion
- economic triangulation
- giddins believes that the revenue and economic prosperity generated from this free market will finance greater equality of opportunity, which can also be re-invested back into society and trigger development
- capitalist society with a welfare state
- thought that the modern workforce has been atomized bc of a decline in mass production + similarity
- workers control is impractical, because humans are imperfect and uneducated for these roles (webb)
- rewrote clause IV to promote this notion of common endeavour, not ownership
27
key words when discussing socialism on human nature
- collectivism
- malleability
- altruism
- fraternity
- collective good / community spirit
- co-operation, not competition
- cohesion
- social bonds
28
marxists on human nature
- suppressed and morphed by capitalism under this class consciousness
- it is only through society that workers become aware of exploitation
29
marxists on econ
- under capitalism, workers produce items for profit, and are cogs in a machine
- labour (under capitalism) is depersonalised, and lacks fulfillment
- capitalism extracts value from workers
- capitalism contradicts fraternity and equality which entrenches social divide
- capitalism can only continue to work if there is constant economic exploitation
- abolition of private property + promote collective ownership to benefit humanity
- centrally planned economy
- capitalism is unpredictable - collectivist economy is more stable / manageble
- workers control of the economy after the proletariat are aware of exploitation
- economic interests cause social clashes
30
marxist-leninists on human nature + society
hn:
- there is a web of false consciousness in society whereby the proletariat are under a web
society:
- society can only be transformed by proletariat - class consciousness
- revolution can occur at any time, not just when proletariat are well developed
- revolution is the cause of socialism
- society should orientate around capitalism
- difference over if society should be led by a dictatorship of the proletariat
- democracy must continue
31
marxist-leninists on state + econ
state:
- ovethrow existing structure
- construction of new democracy, whilst lenin wants an elite
- the state must embody the will of the people
econ:
- revolution is the only means to bring change otherwise the status quo is strengthened
- reform will only limit potential for equality + entrench bourgeoisie power
32
democratic socialists on human nature + society
human nature:
- workers are incapable of responsibility
society:
- revolutionary change is "chaotic, inefficient and counter productive"
- revolution = unpredictable
- planned, rational society
- extend franchise = orderly progression
- inevitability of gradualism
33
democratic socialists on state + econ
state:
- large state involvement in economy as this is the only way to bring equality (egalitarianism)
- PARLIAMENTARY CHANGE
- socialist governments are needed to be experts and compendate for lack of worker knowledge
econ:
- capitalist forces cannot be tamed or humanised
- workers control of economy for equal distribution / removal of class
- common ownership / public control
- workers must receive the full fruits of their labour
- nationalisation
- economic regulation (welfare state + ownership)
- humanise capitalism + narrow inequality
34
social democrats on human nature + society
human nature:
- all humans are equal
- individual self reliance
society:
- class is defined by income and status
- belief in class harmony + amelioration, NOT REVOLUTION
- parliamentary change
- peaceful and gradual change
- SOCIAL JUSTICE
- class division is not as prevalent in society
- class divide is narrowed through intervention
- we should narrow social divisions, not overthrow the whole system
- less emphasis on the 'evil' of class politics
(INCOME, NOT POWER)
35
social democrats on state
state:
- instrument allowing for the collective ownership of wealth
- gradualism (supported by the state) will bring change
- state must manage market forces
- socialism will develop peacefully and naturally through political action + education
- extending franchise will place power with a dominant class
- the state would therefore be a class of experts, who promote socialist ideals and represent the working class
- revolution would completely overhaul the state - PARLIAMENTARY CHANGE
36
third way on human nature + society
human nature:
- self reliance and independence
society:
- social flexibility
- social justice / equality
- social inclusion - opportunity and meritocracy
- everyone in society has rights and responsibilities
- communitarianism - interests of communities, not just the individual
- clause IV - strength of common endeavour (strength in numbers)
- power, wealth and opportunity are in the hands of the many, not few
- cultural and political equality
- emphasis on society and maintaining moral foundations
37
third way on state
state:
- shift away from top down state intervention
- market > state
- state should help people help themselves only if they are willing to work / be self-reliant
- expansive state
- competition state
- state should focus on social investment + skills (ie education) because it produces employability and benefits the economy
38
socialist belief on private property
- private property is unjust, because wealth is collective, and should be enjoyed by the majority
- private property is morally corrupting because it drives materialism
- causes class conflict
- more revisionist socialists believe that socialism can exist alongside private property and capitalism
39
marxists on the state
- state socialism - state controls economic life
- the state and economy are intertwined
- the state emerges out of capitalism and works in the interests of bourgeoisie
- the state defends the oppression of working classes + reflects bourgeoisie power
- reform + gradual change will be ineffective with a bourgeoisie state bc they defend existing inequality
- socialism can only be brought via revolution
- support a dictatorship of proletariat
- the state implements laws + expectations which entrench oppression
- elements of democracy only conceal unequal class dynamics
40
socialist belief on equality
- class conflict inhibits equality of opportunity
- focus on social justice and institutional equality
- forms of equality are because of social treatment
- people must be equally treated by society (social equality + equality of outcome)
41
socialist agreement on equality
1. its existence
- belief in social justice and institutional equality
42
socialist disagreement on equality
1. extent of social equality
- marxism = absolute equality brought by economic means + overhaul of capitalist system
- social dems = social equality through redistribution and progressive social policy
- tame capitalism, not fully eradicate it
43
general socialist beliefs on common humanity
- human behaviour is socially determined
- capitalism doesn't bring out the best of common humanity
- humanity is rational + sociable
- goals are only attained through collective action - we should learn to co-operate to serve common good
- opportunities must be spread as widely as possible
- humanity must focus on egalitarianism, fraternity + equality
44
general socialist belief of equality
- equal wealth distribution and equal opportunities / outcomes
- want to control capitalist forces and their impact on society
- equality = cohesion and freedom
45
general socialist belief of social class
2 social classes:
1. bourgeoisie - pay the proletariat the lowest amount to maximise profit
2. proletariat - work to fuel the capitalist systems / are victims of oppression with the fruits of their labour being stolen
- the proletariat are alienated and do not benefit from production
- capitalist systems make social classes depersonalised and insulated
46
general socialist belief in workers' control
power in the hands of the majority to ensure that the majority of people in society have opportunities to benefit
- ensure equality and abolish class divides
- this is a post-revolutionary state whereby capitalism is replaced by a system of worker control
47
marxists on society
- social class divisions are about economic power (bourgeoisie + proletariat)
- there is a conflict which cannot be bridged (polarized) - need revolution to overthrow the force which is driving social division
- classes are agents of historical + social change (collectively rise against b)
- classless communist society
- historicism = end destination
- there is a dialectic when the actions of the ruling class clash with the majority which would trigger revolution
- proletariat = class consciousness
48
social democrats on economy
- supported a market economy + intervention
- mixed economy of public + private ownership
- regulation of capitalism (keynesianism)
- progressive taxation
- welfare state / education
- capitalism = stable and reliable - but has tendencies of poverty
- capitalism can be efficient + bring growth
- socio-economic intervention will rectify capitalism
- capitalism was not purely oppressive (ie marx), but can be reformed through nationalising + extending protection - peaceful poential
- modification of capitalism in order to bring change in the form of fairness
49
third way on the economy
- must have a market economy for efficiency
- encourage privatization and deregulation to promote growth which is reinvested in equality
- stakeholding - meritocratic
- less emphasis on common ownership
- protection of worker's rights
- no even distribution of wealth
- laissez faire economics
- pro-business
- enterprise and fairness
- targeted welfare for the most vulnerable (equality of opportunity)
50
what do the strands think on:
equality of opportunity
fundamentalist:
- only possible after revolution bc capitalism is corrupt
democratic:
- only achieved if capitalism is reformed to the point that it is socialist
social democrats:
- brought by a mixed econ + welfare state
third way:
- target the specific people who need it
- no need for universal welfare
51
what do the strands think on:
equality of outcome
fundamentalist:
- cannot exist bc capitalism will never be free of exploitation, meaning you will never get the reward
democratic soc:
- believe in gradual redistribution
socialist democrats:
- don't support this - it would weaken the economy
third way:
- don't support this - it is impractical and would disincentivise capitalists
52
what do the strands think on:
absolute equality
fundamentalist:
- individuals contribute to society and take what they need
democratic:
- aim to gradually dispel differences but not absolute equality
social dems:
- too theoretical
- believe in meritocracy - gain what you produce (ie contribute more = gain more)
third way:
- don't like this
- inequality is naturally occuring
53
what do the strands think on:
equality of welfare
fundamentalist:
- failed
- it didn't remove capitalism
democratic:
- by mass nationalisation of industry
- mass nationalisation would remove inequality and distribute resources
social dems:
- the state can impose this (ie public services)
- cautious of it
third way:
- don't believe in universal equality of welfare - people who most need it
- it disincentivises people to work
- makes dependency culture
54
socialist differences on HN
1. difference in extent to which human nature is deformed by capitalism
- ie marxism = capitalism erodes HN
- third way = human nature can prosper under capitalism whilst balancing collectivism
55
socialist differences on society
1. extent of gradual change
- marxism = revolution, quick, violent change to give power to proletariat + break down status quo
- democratic socialists - inevitability of gradualism and gradualism can still promote socialist values
- third way - change can exist alongside private property and capitalism
56
socialist differences on state
1. extent of change to state
- marxists = revolutionary change, dictatorship of proletariat + communism
- marxist-leninism = we should install a new democracy
- democratic + third way = change within the system, state can steer socialist values - doesn't need reform / abolition
57
socialist differences on economy
1. extent of impact of capitalism
- marx + webb = socialism cannot exist alongside a capitalist economy + private property
- revolution for non-capitalist econ
- third way = mixed economy and embracing capitalism / keynesian economics
- neoliberal economy = more reinvestment into welfare
