Socialism - Human Nature

What do All socialists agree on?

• we are social creatures

• we cooperate with others to serve the common good

• we are rational

• we are altruistic

• human nature is malleable

Marx

• collectivism is natural, as seen in ‘primitive communism’

• everyone will work hard under communism as it is in the common interest

• alienation of workers through capitalism

• we are rational, leading to class consciousness over ‘false consciousness’

Luxemburg

• evolutionary socialism, as we are rational and can form trade unions etc.

• democracy not just a means but also an ends - rejects Lenin’s ‘Vanguard party’

• Altruistic with strong personal relationships.

revolutionary socialism

Beatrice Webb

• Voters are selfish and uninformed.

• She rejected direct democracy and proposed elitist solutions.

• Founded LSE, so believed in education, but only for the brightest, rather than all.

Anthony Crosland

• Positive + egalitarian view of human nature due to education policies

• ‘I will abolish every last grammar school in England, Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland if it’s the last thing I do.

Social Democrats

Anthony Giddens

• Individuals have rights and responsibilities - suggests rationality

• Individualism is more open and reflective, motivated by mutual benefit

• communal spaces eg. Parks and Libraries vital

• Social inclusion unit - indicates his commitment to ‘equality of inclusion’

• Free museums in London indicates his belief in human rationality

Third Way

Overall disagreement

Judgement