Socialism Flashcards

Marx and Engels

• Revolutionary Socialists

• “The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles”

• “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs”

• “Workers of the world, unite! You have nothing to lose but your chains”

• Believed Capitalism could not be reformed or managed into socialism (as Webb thought)

• After revolution, temporary dictatorship of the proletariat would suppress counter-revolution and reorganise society

Beatrice Webb

• Fabian Socialist/Social Democrat

• Revolutions were “chaotic, inefficient, and counter-productive”

• Rejected the “big bang” revolutionary social change

• Argued socialism could be achieved through democratic reform

• Preferred orderly and election based progression towards post-capitalist society “the inevitability of gradualism”

Rosa Luxemburg

• Revolutionary Socialism

• Also believed capitalism could not be reformed

• Opposed gradualist, reformist approach

• Believed working class must be active and self-organising

• Emphasised politicla democracy

Anthony Crosland

• Social Democrat

• Belief in reform, not revolution

• Equality over ownership

• Supported a strong, interventionist state to redistribute wealth and provide welfare, but not to abolish Capitalism entirely

Anthony Giddens

• Third Way

• Fully accepted Capitalism and markets as the basis for economic growht

• Focused on reducing poverty and promoting opportunity

• State should enable and support citizens e.g. education, welfare-to-work programs

• Aimed to reconcile economic efficiency with social justice

To what extent do socialists agree about the economy?

Agree:

Disagree:

Disagree:

To what extent do socialists agree about the state?

To what extent do socialists agree about equality?