Socialism

Question 1

Name 3 types of socialism

Answer 1

Revolutionary socialism- overthrowing the existing political and social structures
Social democracy- Ideological view that wishes to humanise capitalism in the interests of social justice
The Thirds Way- middle-ground to free market capitalism and socialism

Question 2

List some core ideas and principles of socialism

Answer 2

COLLECTIVISM- humans should work together as beneficial due to moral and practical value
COMMON HUMANITY- humans are social, rational and cooperative
EQUALITY
WORKER’S CONTROL

Question 3

Explain Marx and Engel’s views on human nature

Answer 3

Pursuit of wealth and capitalism has contaminated human nature
Capitalism created greed rather than selflessness
Humans are social

Question 4

Explain Marx and Engel’s views on the state

Answer 4

Not politically neutral as it serves the ruling class who control the economy
State went allow for evolution socialism
State must be replaced with communist system to cement socialist values

Question 5

Explain Marx and Engel’s views on society

Answer 5

2 classes- the bourgeoise and the proletariat cannot coexist as they have different interests
Inequality has made ending a capitalist society ‘historically inevitable’
Surplus value drives employees to detest employers
The proletariat class is bigger and therefore will overthrow

Question 6

Explain Marx and Engels’ views on the economy

Answer 6

Capitalism is corrupt and incurable
Workers are treated little better than slaves
Common ownership
Each according to his needs

Question 7

Explain Luxemburg’s views on human nature

Answer 7

Not as damaged as Marx believed
Even communities under capitalism such as amongst the working class are still internally fraternal and altruistic
Capitalism at odds with humanity’s natural, fraternal instincts

Question 8

Explain Luxemburg’s views on the state

Answer 8

Capitalist state must be destroyed by revolution
Strike action
Replace with genuine democracy, a new state with common ownership
Evolutionary socialism is impossible

Question 9

Explain Luxemburg’s views on society

Answer 9

Capitalism is class ridden and morally indefensible
Alternate societies exist within down trodden proletariat communities
Spontaneous revolution
Internationalist

Question 10

Explain Luxemburg’s views on the economy

Answer 10

Capitalism is more resilient than Marx suggested
Revolution requires determination and solidarity
Mass worker strike action would ignite a much wider revolutionary movement

Question 11

Explain Webb’s views on human nature

Answer 11

Human nature must be guided back to cooperation
Violent revolution only compounds damage caused by capitalism
Capitalism corrupt HN by developing greed and selfishness

Question 12

Explain Webb’s views on the state

Answer 12

Universal suffrage could lead to socialism
state intervention and trade unions are likely to eliminate poverty
Aligned strongly with Labour
didn’t advocate workers control production- elected professionals

Question 13

Explain Webb’s views on society

Answer 13

Poverty and inequality of capitalism depresses human potential
Capitalism causes regressive competition
Paternalism and philanthropy and not solutions
Nourishment and education fro children, living wage, healthcare, care for disabled and elderly

Question 14

Explain Webb’s views on the economy

Answer 14

Chaotic capitalism gradually replaced to secure fruits of labour for workers
New economy based on common ownership

Question 15

Explain Crosland’s views on human nature

Answer 15

Against huge inequalities of outcome

Question 16

Explain Crosland’s views on the state

Answer 16

Keynesian economics allowed sufficient expansion to secure welfare state diminishing inequality

Question 17

Explain Crosland’s views on society

Answer 17

Argued against grammar schools for comprehensive
Equality of opportunity
New classes have emerged meaning owners and workers labels are no longer applicable

Question 18

Explain Crosland’s views on the economy

Answer 18

No need for total public ownership
Keynsian economics changed capitalism
Mix private enterprise and public ownership
Positive competition
Public spending is greater than ownership

Question 19

Explain Giddens’ views on human nature

Answer 19

Communities give people confidence
Absence of communities causes people to be influenced by economic and cultural beliefs
Tendency to desire fairness balanced with self aspiration

Question 20

Explain Giddens’ views on the state

Answer 20

State must allow humans to flourish
More proactive and invest in infrastructure
Modernised education system necessary
Equip people to succeed in knowledge of the economy

Question 21

Explain Giddens’ views on society

Answer 21

Social cohesion lets capitalism work best
Neo-liberalism is flawed
People want mutual benefit
Capitalism and individualism has some benefits, but negatively affects fraternalism and community
Individuals free to self actualise
Equality of opportunity may have to accept equality of outcome

Question 22

Explain Giddens’ views on the economy

Answer 22

Capitalism and individualism is irreversible
However is essential in the pursuit of further equality
Free-market is best at empowering individuals economically
Social cohesion and free market capitalism leads to mutual flourishing
Keynsian economics absolute

Question 23

What do socialists agree about in regards to human nature?

Answer 23

Believe that human nature is malleable (plastic) rather than fixed;
Believe that people are naturally sociable creatures who thrive as apart of a community;
Believe that it is natural for people to want fairness;
Agree on the fundamental importance of fraternity and co-operation at the heart of human nature.

Question 24

What do socialists agree about tin regards to the state?

Answer 24

Social environment is crucial in determining human nature
The group should take priority over the individual
Egalitarianism

Question 25

What do socialists agree about in regards to society?

Answer 25

Social class is a barrier for quality of opportunity 
Capitalism will have negative affects (but some accept this as it will produce a large amount of positives too)

Question 26

What do socialists agree about in regards to the economy?

Answer 26

A strong state is important to redistribute wealth and bring about equality
The state should not be monarchial or aristocratic (instead based on equality)

Question 27

What do revolutionary socialists believe about human nature?

Answer 27

Marx- Capitalism is more damaging to human nature than other socialist)
Agree on fairness and equality. However Marxists believe in absolute equality

Question 28

What do democratic socialists believe about human nature?

Answer 28

Relative equality

Question 29

What do third way socialists believe about human nature?

Answer 29

Giddens-human nature can flourish under capitalism

In people’s nature to seek fairness but it is natural for individual aspirations

Question 30

What do revolutionary socialists believe about the state?

Answer 30

Abolish capitalism
Wealth equally owned and distributed (not private)
Total abolition of private property, replaced with common ownership and a classless, communist society
Large welfare state

Question 31

What do revolutionary socialists believe about society?

Answer 31

Capitalist society is defined by class conflict
Absolute equality Revolution needed for Communist society
Luxemburg- Class position is economically determined
Capitalists class-based society is immoral

Question 32

What do revolutionary socialists believe about the economy?

Answer 32

Capitalism must be overthrown by a revolution
replaced temporarily with a ‘dictatorship of the proletariat’ before eventually the state ‘withers away’ & communism is established.(Marx and Engels)
Luxemburg- democratic system

Question 33

What do democratic socialists believe about society?

Answer 33

Crosland- more flexible
More complex than 2 classes
Narrow rather than abolish class divisions
Absolute equality of outcome is unrealistic

Question 34

What do democratic socialists believe about the state?

Answer 34

Capitalism can be reformed using the welfare state to redistribute wealth and tackle poverty
Mixed economy (some nationalisation)
Giddens- large welfare state can create a damaging culture of dependancy, therefore preferring a neoliberal market economy

Question 35

What do democratic socialists believe about the economy?

Answer 35

State needs to reform

Socialist change is possible through high public spending and redistribution of wealth

Question 36

What do Third Way Socialists believe about society?

Answer 36

Capitalism is accepted, may need some reform
supports a dynamic market economy and an enterprise culture to maximise wealth creation.
It does not prioritise the traditional socialist policy of redistributing wealth through progressive taxation
Doesn’t oppose great individual wealth on principle (helps to improve society’s overall prosperity)

Question 37

What do Third Way Socialists believe about the state?

Answer 37

Gradual improvement through reforms to capitalism and the state

Question 38

What do Third Way Socialists believe about the economy?

Answer 38

state needs to reform (but with less intervention than Democratic socialists
Giddens- decentralise power and encourage democratic participation
Social/infrastructure programmes
Too much spending on welfare will lead to culture of dependency