Summary Flashcards
(5 cards)
summary of socialism
Human nature
The state
Society
The economy
human nature
Positive view of human nature — view people are social creatures who are cooperative, social and rational
Human nature is socially determined, we naturally prefer to work together rather than compete against each other — Therefore any selfishness competitiveness and greed is due to the capitalist system which promotes the negative sides of human nature
Our ability to cooperate allows us to form connections based on understanding, mutual support and respect it also enables us to utilise the capabilities of the whole community and experience personal growth
Marxists — The true cooperative and communal instincts that humans naturally possess will only be allowed to flourish and exist freely when the exploitative and oppressive capitalist system is removed, the creation of a Communist society will foster human growth and development and allow true human nature to flourish
the state
Marxists — The state is an instrument of class role, under capitalism the ruling bourgeoisie use the State apparatus (e.g. the political and legal system) to maintain their dominance over the proletariat, the state will wither away once communism has established a classless and equal society
However in practice Marxist socialist regimes have themselves used a centralised state to organise most all production and distribution as well as control their populations
Social Democrats — Limited state intervention in social and economic affairs will safeguard the public and combat the shortcomings of capitalism
The third way — More sceptical attitude towards the state, reject top-down state intervention in economic and social matters for being inefficient and ineffective, the state should focus on social investment in infrastructure and education to improve job opportunities and encourage self-reliance
society
Society is mainly characterised by class inequalities, economic divisions and significant disparities in property ownership
Marxists — Capitalist society is dominated by class conflict between the ruling bourgeoisie and the proletariat, only communism with its commitment to classlessness and absolute equality can deliver a stable and unified society
Social Democrats — View society in more fluid terms, accept that class inequalities exist but believe that such inequality can be reduced by peaceful improvements (e.g. welfare and redistribution schemes), recognise that deindustrialisation and the rise of the service economy has made society increasingly middle-class
the Third way — Rejects the traditional socialist emphasis on class distinctions and inequality, instead focusing on social harmony, consensus and social inclusion, less critical of society particularly capitalist society
the economy
Most socialists call for some form of intervention or planning in the economy because the profit driven free market cannot allocate wealth and resources fairly
Marxists — Advocate replacing capitalism with a centrally planned economy based on common ownership of the means of production, under communism economic production will be determined solely by human need rather than by profit
Social Democrats — accept some degree of free market capitalism, favour a mixed economy of nationalised key industries and privately owned enterprises, endorse Keynesian interventionist economics to regulate capitalism and maintain employment, support welfare policies to redistribute wealth
The third way — Readily accept the primacy of the free market in the economy, it is the most efficient system of production, resulting economic growth benefits everyone and encourages positive personal qualities such as responsibility, reject state intervention in the economy as it discourages investment and stifles entrepreneurial initiative
