Key thinkers - socialism

Karl Marx: What is the base superstructure model?

The needs of capitalist economy determines everything else about society. The state only does what society wants. Marx is anti-religious as he believes that religion is the “Opium of the masses” and a drug to keep you quiet so capitalism can exploit you.

Marx quote about religion

“Opium of the masses”

Karl Marx: Dialectic materialist view of history

History is driven forward by competing forces - class. There is a direction and it is going to a particular place, belief that history has an end and the end will be communism. There is a thesis, and then an anthesis, and then they have a struggle and then a synthesis. (communism)

Marx quote about workers

“Workers of the world unite, you have nothing to lose but your chains”

Marx: Meaning of common ownership

Workers collectives and are against private property

Marx: Quote on history

“All history is a history of class conflict”

When does Marx think history will end

With the complete victory of the proletariat over the bourgeoisie

Rosa Luxemborg: Diff views to Marx on Rev

Revolution can be spontaneous and did not like passivity.

Rosa Luxemborg: What does she believe reforms do

Build class consciousness

What type of socialist is Anthony Crosland

Social Democrat

Crosland: Views on revolution or reform

Reform is better. Democracy means workers have the vote which will mean they will outnumber the rich.

Crosland: Views on the state

The state is neutral and can help create socialism. There needs to be a level of state management which can help, for example, Keynesism and Nationalism

Crosland: Core difference with Marx over equality

Equality of opportunity rather than equality of outcome

Beatrice Webb quote

“The inevitability of gradualism”

What type of socialist is Giddens

Third Way

Why does Giddens believe that people won’t vote for high taxes anymore

Due to the victory of neo-liberal policies and an increasingly globalised economy, means that socialists can no longer propose policies like nationalisation as voters will not vote for it

Giddens: Triangulation

A Third Way needs to be found between socialism and capitalism. This is where community, equality and social values are helped but with New Right neo-liberal economics. Social justice and economic efficiency

Giddens: Assisting capitalism

The best way to help disadvantaged groups is to assist capitalism to be as successful as possible, which generates tax revenues and can be used for community and social projects. Very different view

The labour theory of value

Idea that the value of something was determined by how much labour went into them. The only way that capitalists can make more profit is to reduce the workers wages less than what they made it for. If you want to increase your profit, you have to pay workers less and less. “Increasing immiseration of workers.” – thought this would lead to revolution.

Why is the labour theory of value questionable

Value is entirely a product of supply and demand. Wrong really about paying their workers less – usually pay workers more. Increase production as they will work harder. Exact opposite happens. Discredits his theory – there will be no revolution!