socialism

overall - equality

all societies should have measures to ensure a base level of equality

revolutionary/marxist - equality

demand absolute equality through controlled distribution of goods and common ownership. believed equality of opportunity was only possible after revolution

marx and engles on equality

common ownership allows society to be based on equality of outcome

social democracy/evolutionary - equality

state intervention to achieve relative equality via welfare, taxation, etc

anthony crosland - evolutionary - equality

main aim of socialism now is to deliver greater social equality

third way - equality

believe in equality of welfare. increased equality of opportunity via public services

anthony giddens - third way - equality

called for a social investment state - the state has a responsibility to invest in the infrastructure of society, rejection on state intervention. state should promote equality of opportunity through heavy investment in public services

judgement on equality

all want some level of equality

overall - state

all need it to achieve socialism at a certain point

revolutionary/marxist - state

state needs to be completely overthrown and replaced. the state will wither away following revolution

marx - revolutionary - state

state is a tool of oppression, must be overthrown. will eventually wither away under communism, as no longer necessary

evolutionary/social democracy - state

the democratic state can be used to achieve socialism. state intervention in economic and social affairs can protect the public, its role is to control distribution. state is a neutral force that can reduce class conflict.

anthony crosland - evolutionary - state

state-managed capitalism

beatrice webb - evolutionary - state

expansion of state will deliver socialism, central state action necessary to regulate and plan, provide utilities and amenities

third way - state

the state should be a vehicle for investment in public services, rather than achieving economic equality. state shouldn’t own industries or control employment

anthony giddens - third way - state

rejects state intervention, social investment state - state has a responsibility to invest in infrastructure and education

judgement on state

almost completely disagree

overall - society

all believe inequalities exist in society, class differences, people want to work together, society is a collection of broadly equal individuals who share a common identity and purpose

revolutionary - society

want a classless society - communism will deliver a stable and unified society, total transformation

social democracy - society

accept class inequalities, but believe they can be reduced through schemes such as welfare and redistribution

third way - society

emphasises harmony, consensus and social inclusion. class inequalities less important

judgement on society

all believe in society working to achieve equality as humans are social and cooperative - based on strong, collaborative communities

overall - economy

unregulated, free-market capitalism does not produce a fair society, some intervention is necessary

revolutionary socialism - economy

replace capitalism with centrally planned economy based on common ownership, with production based on human need

rosa luxemburg (revolutionary) on economy

thought capitalism would collapse after it ran out of territories and markets to exploit, criticised economic exploitation of proletariat by bourgeoisie

social democracy - economy

mixed economy of nationalised key industries and private enterprises, capitalism regulated by the state. common ownership

anthony crosland (evolutionary) on economy

supports a mixed economy. high levels of government spending, redistribution of wealth and welfare, high employment, low inflation

beatrice webb (evolutionary) on economy

state intervention should increase to regulate and plan areas, central state action necessary

third way - economy

free market economy is most effective - resulting growth benefits everyone. reject state intervention. redistributive taxation to fund public services

anthony giddens (third way) on economy

“the new mixed economy looks… for a synergy between public and private sectors” - shows middle ground between socialism and capitalism

judgement on economy

almost entirely different economic systems

overall - class conflict

all see differences, however class gets less important

revolutionary - class conflict

the proletariat need to revolt against the ruling classes, class consciousness necessary

marx and engels on class conflict

“working men of all countries, unite!" - against the ruling classes, class is central to conflict

social democracy - class conflict

reduce class differences through peaceful means

anthony crosland (evolutionary) on class conflict

main aim of socialism is now to deliver greater social equality, with more egalitarian distribution and no class barriers

beatrice webb (evolutionary) on class conflict

rejected the idea of class struggle

third way - class conflict

emphasise harmony and social inclusion. importance of class has declined

judgement on class conflict

almost completely different - some believe in violent revolution, some peaceful means for equality, some believe not a problem

overall on methods to achieve aims

all need a level of change, state needed in some capacity

revolutionary socialism - methods

revolution, possibly violent

marx and engels on methods

“working men of all countries, unite!” - suggests revolution against ruling classes

rosa luxemburg (revolutionary) on methods

strikes and demonstrations - revolutionary conquest of power

social democracy - methods

reconciles free-market capitalism and state intervention - gradual change

beatrice webb (evolutionary) on methods

establishing socialism through passing democratic reforms

third way - methods

education reduces difference, implement reforms in existing capitalist systems

judgement on methods

almost completely different (violence, reform etc), but all agree for change

overall - human nature

positive, co-operative, shaped by environment, equal, fraternal and capable

revolutionary - human nature

human characteristics of co-operation and communal instincts corrupted by capitalism, can be liberated by removal of exploitative capitalism

marx and engles on human nature

sociable, rational and cooperative, but only realised under communism

social democracy - human nature

place community over the individual

beatrice webb (evolutionary) on human nature

limited, selfish, uninformed, self-interested

third way - human nature

value of community and moral responsibility, but competition also good as long as inequality reduced

judgement on human nature

largely similar, however gets progressively less focused on co-operation and fraternity