Class PPT.BASIC SOCIALISM AND CORE THEMES

Socialism

An alternative economic system based on collective ownership and economic democracy.

Utopian Socialism

A form of socialism that envisions ideal societies to realize socialist principles.

Scientific Socialism

Developed by Marx and Engels, based on a critical analysis of capitalism linked to the working class.

Labourism

A political ideology centered on the interests and workforce of laborers.

Collective Action

Efforts undertaken by a group to achieve a common goal.

Egalitarianism

The belief in human equality, especially in political, economic, and social rights.

Class Politics

The political conflicts based on the divisions of social classes and their interests.

Common Ownership

A system where the means of production are owned collectively, rejecting private property.

Evolutionary Socialism

The belief that capitalism will gradually evolve into socialism through reforms.

Political Equality

The principle that all individuals have the right to participate equally in political processes.

Critique of Capitalism

The examination and questioning of the flaws and inequalities inherent in capitalist systems.

Desire for Common Good

The aspiration to prioritize the collective welfare over individual self-interest.

State Structure

The organization and functioning of the government, which reflects class divisions in society.

Gradualism

A political approach that seeks to achieve socialist goals through gradual reforms rather than abrupt changes.

Class Conflict

The tension and disputes arising between different social classes, which drives social change.

Moral Argument Against Private Property

The critique that private ownership is unjust, morally corrupting, and divisive.

Universal Suffrage

The right of all adult citizens to vote in elections.

Rejection of Private Property

The socialist stance against ownership of means of production by individuals.

Socialist View of the State

 State reflects class division
 State acts in the interest of the dominant class
 State structure reflects class society
 State is run by those who share a background with the
dominant class

Network of Mutual Aid

A concept in socialism emphasizing cooperation and support among community members.

Social Welfare Programs

Government initiatives aimed at providing assistance and support to improve citizens' well-being.

Collective Bargaining

Process by which workers negotiate with their employers for better working conditions and benefits.

Cooperative Economy

An economic system based on organizations that are owned and operated by the members for mutual benefit.

Redistribution of Wealth

The reallocation of resources and wealth to reduce inequality and improve social welfare.

Social Justice

The pursuit of a fair and equitable distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society.

Participatory Democracy

A model of democracy that emphasizes broad participation of constituents in political decision-making.

Public Ownership

Ownership of resources and enterprises by the state or community as a whole, rather than by private individuals.

Decentralization

The transfer of authority and responsibility from central to local governments, enhancing local governance.

Labor Rights

The legal rights and protections afforded to workers in the workplace.

Origins of Socialism

 Reaction to growth of capitalism
 Critique of market society

Development of Socialism

Utopian Socialism
 Saint Simon -
 Fourier
 Robert Owen and their visions of cooperative societies that aimed to improve workers' conditions through communal living and shared ownership.

Scientific Socialism

 Marx and Engels
 Link to working class
 Based on critical analysis of capitalism

It emphasizes class struggle and advocates for the establishment of a classless society through revolutionary means.

3 Meanings of Socialism

 Alternative economic system based on collective ownership
and economic democracy
 Politics of the working class
 Labourism

Community

Core Theme of Socialism

 Collective action to solve problems
 Cooperation rather than competition
 Desire for common good rather than self-interest
 Community as a means of human emancipation and full
development

is a fundamental aspect of socialism that emphasizes the importance of collective well-being, fostering cooperation among individuals to achieve shared goals, and promoting social solidarity.

Cooperation

Core Theme of Socialism
 Human are naturally cooperative not competitive
 Competition is fostered by capitalism

Equality

Core Theme of Socialism

 Commitment to political value, equality
 Egalitarianism
 Emphasis on social justice
 Inequality is not natural but is produced by capitalism and
other class societies

Class Politics

Core Theme of Socialism

 Social class most important social division
 Class conflict drives social change
 The state reflects social class division and the power of the
dominant class

is a central concept in socialism that asserts the significance of social class as the primary source of societal division, emphasizing that class struggle is essential for societal progress and that governmental structures often mirror these class disparities.

Common Ownership

Core Theme of Socialism

 Of means of production
 Rejects private property
 Doesn’t mean personal possessions
 Means possession of capital
 Critique of property
 Unjust
 Morally corrupting
 Divisive

is a foundational concept in socialism advocating for the collective ownership of productive resources, opposing private property to promote equality and reduce social divisions.

Revolutionary socialism

 Capitalism must be overthrown
 Socialism must be created through a revolution
 Appeal of revolution
 Response to exploitation and injustice
 Workers lacked political influence or outlet

Critique of Revolutionary Socialism

 Revolution has not occurred in advanced capitalist societies
 Place where revolutions have occurred were too poor and
underdeveloped to support socialism
 Revolution has led to authoritarian, non-democratic states

Evolutionary Socialism-Social Democracy

 Capitalism will evolve to become more like socialism
 Socialists should pursue reforms to limit the negative
consequences of capitalism
 State is neutral and can be captured by socialists
through electoral politics
 Politics of gradualism

is a political ideology advocating for the gradual transformation of capitalism into socialism through reforms and democratic processes, emphasizing the importance of electoral politics and the state's potential to be influenced by socialist principles.

Gradualism

 Extension of vote would lead to universal suffrage thus
political equality
 This would put power in the hands of the working class
 Working class would vote for socialist policies
 In power, socialists would transform society

a strategy of implementing change slowly over time, rather than through abrupt or revolutionary means.

Critique of Social Democracy

Socialists must water down message to get elected
 Workers may not be natural socialists
 Structure of state may prevent socialist transition eg.
U.S. Constitution
 Old order will resist and crush socialist transition eg.
Salvadore Allende

is a perspective that argues socialists dilute their message to gain electoral success, suggesting that workers may not inherently support socialism and that existing state structures, like the U.S. Constitution, may hinder socialist transitions. It also highlights historical examples, such as Salvador Allende, where the old order actively resisted and undermined socialist reforms.