Socialist Thinkers: Equality of Outcome / Commitment to Equality

Question 1

Marx economically

Answer 1

Theory of Alienation: the direct distribution of the fruits of the labour of each worker to fulfil the interests of the working class- and thus to an individual’s own interest and benefit- will constitute an un-alienated state of labour conditions, which restores to the worker the fullest exercise and determination of their human nature.

Question 2

Webb economically

Answer 2

A chaotic capitalist economy will gradually be replaced by one which secures for the workers the full fruits of their labour, based upon common ownership of the means of production.

Question 3

Giddens economically

Answer 3

A neo-liberal economy, propelled by privatisation and deregulation, will provide huge tax yields and although this will not bring about economy of outcome, huge increases in public spending will secure greater equality of opportunity.

Question 4

Crosland socially

Answer 4

Crosland’s proposal of a more egalitarian society depended on the state spending high levels on welfare services and the redistribution of income and wealth. However, not entirely, and does not want to see all private education disappear, nor prestigious universities like Oxford and Cambridge disbanded.

Question 5

Webb socially

Answer 5

The poverty and inequalities of a capitalist society continue to depress human potential while fostering regressive competition. Worked with all political parties in developing the post-war ‘welfare-state’. Among her many proposals were: a state education system available to all, a national healthcare system, and pensions for the elderly (Minority Report on The Poor Law).

Question 6

Marx socially

Answer 6

Capitalist society is sickeningly, yet fatally, defined by class interests, class conflict and inequality. Therefore a communist society will be the perfect ‘end of history’. This would be characterised by the absence of class, state, and implying the end of exploitation of labour and universal equality.

Question 7

Marx on means of achieving equality

Answer 7

Capitalist societies are unstable and would eventually be overthrown by a ‘historically inevitable’ proletariat revolution.

Question 8

Webb on means of achieving equality

Answer 8

Believed that an incremental approach to change on the basis of socialist principles is preferable to the bloodshed and chaos implied by far-left revolutionaries like Marx and Lenin.

Question 9

Luxemburg

Answer 9

Rejected Lenin’s claim that revolution could occur only through the planning and leadership of a vanguard elite. Instead, she envisaged revolution arsing ‘spontaneously’, after class-consciousness had been gradually brought about the proletariat’s ongoing battle for progress in the workplace.