Socialism and the state Flashcards
(19 cards)
3 Key areas in evaluating socialists’ extent of agreement on the state?
-Agree: intervention into the economy to promote equality.
-Disagreement: should the capitalist state be overthrown?
-Disagree: extent of workers’ control over the state.
How do ideas of collectivism promote equality?
Belief that pooled resources make a more effective economy in RS and DS.
State should coordinate widespread socio-economic policies. (Like education, health)
What do revolutionary socialists believe in terms of state intervention in the economy to promote equality of outcome?
Complete state control in order to redistribute goods to achieve absolute equality of outcome.
What do democratic socialists believe in terms of state intervention in the economy to promote equality of outcome?
State should help to produce equality of outcome to some extent via progressive taxation and proportional contribution to welfare services.
What do Third Way socialists believe in terms of state intervention in the economy to promote equality of outcome?
No equality of outcome.
What do democratic socialists and the Third Way believe in terms of state intervention in the economy to promote equality of opportunity?
Equal access to education to promote equal opportunity
Blair top 3 priorities- education, education, education.
Crosland’s intro of comprehensive schools.
What do RS believe is inherent to capitalism?
Exploitation and inequality for the proletariat, in favour of the bourgeoisie.
What do RS believe must happen to the capitalist state to achieve an equitable society?
Completely overthrown;
Marx and Engels- through violent working class uprising.
Luxemburg through mass action- mass strikes.
What do DS and TW believe must happen to the capitalist state to achieve an equitable society?
Gradual democratic change to make capitalism more human.
What is Webb’s theory on how socialism can be acheived?
Inevitability of gradualness- w/c would vote in their own favour, gradually leading to democratic socialism
How do the Third Way envision creating a more equitable society?
Equal opportunity within socialism to level the playing field. Capitalism= not inherent to class struggle and can be reformed.
What do revolutionary socialists believe about workers’ control?
Complete workers’ control; period of ‘dictatorship by the proletariat’ and then complete collectivism.
What phrase, used by Marx, embodies the RS view on workers’ control and collectivism?
‘From each according to his ability, to each each according to his needs’
How do Social Democrats believe workers should influence the state?
Via nationalisation/ common ownership. Displayed in Wilson’s post-war government- NHS and nationalised steel and coal industry.
What do Social Democrats believe nationalisation acheives in terms of workers’ control?
Key industries are run in the favour of the whole of society.
What did Crosland believe nationalisation does?
Mitigate the most negative effects of capitalism.
What do the Third Way believe in terms of workers’ control? What do they favour instead?
Reject workers’ control of the state. Promote individual responsibility and freedom instead.
What does Giddens believe about privatisation?
Competitive markets through privatisation are more responsive to market conditions and consumer needs.
What is evidence of the Third Way’s rejection of workers’ control?
Blair’s use of PFIs in public services, and removal of clause IV.
