politics - socialism

what do all socialists agree on as socialism as an ethical idea

it is a moral vision of a just society based on equality, fairness ,compassion and cooperation rather than competition and greed

how do all socialists see capitalism as unethical

it promotes inequality , insecurity, greed and competition and allows others to live in wealth while others suffer poverty

how do all socialists view historical progress

as a process of human development that moves society forward toward better, fairer ways of living

why do all socialists believe socialism is possible

because societies and people are capable of change and improvement

what does ‘another world is possible’ mean in socialism

that oppression and poverty are not inevitable and can be changed by human action

why is equality central to all socialists

because it is essential for human dignity, freedom and a just society

how do all socialists view inequality

as harmful, unjust, and socially created - not natural or inevitable

what does social justice mean in socialist thought

fair distribution of resources, opportunities and outcomes across society , not just legal equality

what does ‘common humanity’ mean in socialism

humans are more alike than different and share equal moral worth

how should society be organised according to the belief of ‘common humanity’ according to all socialists

around solidarity, empathy,mutual support and cooperation rather than hierarchy or competition

how do all socialists view individuals and society

individuals are interconnected and depend on the wider community to thrive

what is collectivism

the belief that collective action, shared ownership, and cooperation are more effective and ethical than individual competition

do all socialists support collectivism

yes

how do all socialists view human nature

as naturally cooperative and social - not purely self-interested

do all socialists support individual freedom

yes

how do all socialists think individual freedom can be achieved

through cooperation

why do all socialists criticise individualism

because it ignores social interdependence and promotes competition over shared goals

what do all socialists think about capitalism

it is an unjust system that prioritises profit over people and creates inequality

why do all socialists believe capitalism exploits people

because wealth and power come from ownership of capital rather than effort or merit

how does capitalism affect human behaviour according to socialists

it encourages selfishness,competition,alienation and weakens social bonds

how do socialists view class

a social division that shapes peoples life chances, power, and opportunites

why do all socialists reject class inequality

because it is socially created,unjust and harmful to democracy and human dignity

how does class affect peoples lives according to socialists

it influences access to education , healthcare,housing,status and political power

why do all socialists believe class inequality must be challenged

because it concentrates power in elites and undermines equality and collective well-being

how do all socialists view the role of the state

it is a key tool for achieving equality, social justice, and collective welfare

why do all socialists reject a neutral state

because neutrality protects existing inequalities and property relations

how do all socialists think the state should intervene

through regulation , investment , redistribution or systematic chance to meet human needs

what do socialists believe is the ultimate purpose of the socialist state

to reduce inequality, protect the vulnerable and promote collective well-being

what belief do all strands of socialism begin from

that existing social structures are not fixed or natural but created by people and can therefore be changed

how do all socialists view injustice and inequality

as man-made and capable of being overcome

how is society viewed by all socialists

as dynamic and capable of being consciously reshaped

what outcomes do all socialists want social change to achieve

greater equality , justice and freedom

how do all socialists view humanity

as capable of moral and material progress with the potential for greater human flourishing

what enables improvement in society according to socialists

collective political action , reform or revolution

how do socialists view social change in relation to order

not as a threat to order but as a pathway to a better and more just society

what four aspects of capitalism are all socialists critical of

• economic inequality

• class privilege

• lack of democratic control

• market failure to deliver social goods

why is change described as a moral obligation

because of structural injustice

what do all socialists believe drives social change

collective action

what system do all socialists oppose

capitalism

what are the strands of socialism

• revolutionary socialism

• social democracy

• the third way

what are the keythinkers for socialism

• marx and engels (count as one thinker)

• rosa luxemburg

• beatrice webb

• anthony crossland

• anthony giddens

what book did crossland write and when

future of socialism in 1956

what book did giddens write and when

the third way in 1998

difference between revolution vs evolutionary socialism

revolution = attain socialist goals through immediate action

evolutionary socialism = attain socialist goals through gradual change(reforms)

revolutionary socialists view on the state

• the state is an instrument of class rule and is used by the ruling class to ensure that it can keep other classes in a subordinate place - the state claims the sole legitimate use of force within its territory as states have armies , police forces prisons and executioners

  • even under capitalism the state defends capitalism , the state defends capitalist interests

  • marx and engels argued the modern state as a committee managing the affairs of the bourgeoise

  • having elected governments does not make the state neutral or democratic because unelected institutions serve ruling class interests

• the working class cannot simply seize the state and use it for socialist goals

  • existing state institutions are controlled by the ruling class and would resist socialism

  • this is what separates revolutionary socialists from social democrats

  • marx and engels argued a new state must be created: a workers state - called the dictatorship of the proletariat ( rule by the working class not a modern dictatorship)

  • this new state would be more democratic than a capitalist state , based on direct democracy

• the workers state is still a state so it is also an instrument of class rule

  • it is used by the working class to supress the capitalist class

  • it allows the working class to take capitalist property into collective ownership

  • capitalists will resist using force so the workers state must also be able to use force

• once the capitalist class loses its economic power it stops being a class

  • without class conflict the state is no longer needed

  • the state gradually withers away - leading to a stateless communist society

  • there may still be administration but not repression or coercion

  • this is different to anarchism because they believe the state can be abolished immediately

revolutionary socialists view on human nature

• human nature is malleable not fixed

• peoples behaviour reflects the society they grow up in

human nature under capitalism (socialist view)

• capitalism encourages individualism and competition

• marx argued that social being determines consciousness, meaning society shapes attitudes and behaviour

• humans are social and cooperative by nature

• under capitalism, workers are alienated from their labour

• they work for capitalists not for themselves or society

• workers cooperate because they are forced to - not because they freely choose to

• alienation means people are not their true selves under capitalism

humans nature under socialism

• in socialism property is collectively owned so ..

  • workers will not be alienated

  • people will freely cooperate to produce goods society needs

  • workers will have control over their own labour

  • goods are produced for use, not private profit

  • socialism brings out he best in human nature - cooperation and sharing

  • people work knowing their labour benefits everyone

class consciousness and revolution

• if society shapes consciousness the question is how workers can change society

• capitalism creates class struggle between workers and capitalists

• through struggle workers develop solidarity

• this leads to class consciousness

• workers realise they share interests as a class

• they understand they must overthrow

revolutionary socialists view on the economy

the economic base

• the economic base determines the type of society

• history develops through different economic systems

• the ruling class rules because it owns industry and business

• political power is based on economic power

capitalism as a historical system

• capitalism is not permanent or natural

• it is only one stage in history

• earlier systems included feudalism and slave-based societies

marx’s critique of capitalism

• capitalism is not the only possible economic system

• production is controlled by the capital for market not need

• this is irrational and leads to unmet needs and economic crises

• capitalism is based on the exploitation of the working class

• workers produce all wealth but capitalists profit from their labour

marx’s limited positives of capitalism

• capitalism creates abundance and innovation

• it develops the technical basis need for socialism

• socialism will use capitalisms achievements for the benefit of all

• capitalism also creates the working class

• the working class are the ‘gravediggers of capitalism’

• by overthrowing capitalism workers will liberate

revolutionary socialist view on society

general

• because there is no state to force people to act in a particular way and no private property to form the basis of economic power - society is the only structure left

• marx stated society would be come a free association of people where they voluntarily cooperate to produce all things they need

• there would be no political or economic compulsion to do anything but because society would only develop the co-operative and altruistic elements of human nature it would be run as one where it would be organised according to the principle ‘from each according to their abil

revolutionary socialists view on family (society)

• see family as an individualist way of life

• in a communist society many of the roles that the family carry out will be carried out by the whole community - in particular childcare and other domestic duties will be shared by all e.g. with communal childcare and collective cooking

• this will not only free women from the drudgery of housework but can create a much freer environment for children who will not necessarily be bound to their biological parents until they are 18

• overall - family ceases to be important and the community as a whole takes responsibility for looking after people and ensuring the reproduction of the next generation

revolutionary socialist view on culture (society)

• marx suggested that culture would flourish in a socialist society

• rather than the media being controlled by the rich people who own it, it would be open to everyone

• more generally - everyone would have more time for cultural pursuits

• he believed that people would be freer to pursue far more interests

• ‘in a communist society where nobody has one exclusive sphere of activity but each can become accomplished in any branch he wishes, society regulates the general production and thus makes it possible for me to do one thing today and another tomorrow , to hunt in the morning , fish in the afternoon, rear cattle in the evening , criticize after dinner, just as i have a mind, without ever becoming hunter, fisherman, shepherd or critic’

• none of these things defines the person , and they become a more rounded human being

revolutionary socialist view on morality and religion ( society)

• marx believed that the need for religion would fade away in a communist society

• believed that religion was a symptom of peoples powerlessness

• they have god/gods the power that they did not have

• as people gained control over their lives - the need for religion would disappear

revolutionary socialist view on the freedom of the individual (society)

• communist society would mean all decisions would be democratic and that the economy would be under democratic control not privately owned

• they favour a stateless society of complete individual freedom

• such societies would be freely chosen associations of the individuals in them

what where the key ideas of marx and engels

• historial materialism

• class and class struggle

• communism

marx view on historical materialism

historical materialism

• historical materialism explains how society develops and progresses over time

• each stage of society is more developed and productive than the one before it

• slave societies are unproductive because slaves lack incentive to work hard

• capitalism is more productive because workers are motivated by wages, promotion and fear of losing jobs and competition between capitalists encourages innovation and industrial development

class struggle as the driver of change

• class struggle is the engine of historical development

• in earlier societies , rising classes challenged existing ruling classes

• under feudalism, the capitalist class developed in towns

• over time they overthrow the feudal ruling class

• in capitalism the working class becomes the challenger for power

• unlike previous revolutions the working class does not seek to exploit another class

• by overthrowing capitalism the working class will liberate humanity

• communism will end class struggle and revolutions

• this marks the final stage of history - marx described earlier history as the ‘prehistory of human society’ and socialism begins real human history

marx’s view on co-operation

• marx believed humans are fundamentally cooperative

• cooperation exists in all forms of society to produce what people need

• as society develops through historical materialism , cooperation increases

• ancient societies were mainly agricultural

• peoples produced much of what they needed themselves

• there was some trade but the division of labour was limited

• people often specialised but most production happened at home

• capitalism involves a much greater division in labour

• production is highly global and interconnected

• this shows a very high level of cooperation

• however cooperation happens through privately owned companies and markets

• markets based cooperation leads to problems such as economic crises and production only happening when it is profitable

• capitalists may refuse to invest in things with small markets , even if they are socially needed

• thus capitalism has created a world market where there is a huge amount of cooperation - it is just that this is for the benefit of private profit

• marx is arguing that cooperation should be put under democratic control of the working class with common ownership of the means of production

marx’s view on class and society in historical materialism

• the classes in society is the economic base of society - everything else in society is determined by this base

• this includes means of production , relations of production and private property, capital and commodities

• the economy is the most important part of society because it produces everything people need

• the superstructure is everything not directly to do with production, including the state and politics, law , media , education, religion , culture, ideology

• the economic base shapes the superstructure

• the superstructure also helps to maintain and protect the economic base

• society reflects power relations in the economy

• in capitalism, the bourgeoisie dominate the proletariat economically

• the economic domination is reflected in political institutions, social institutions, the organisation of society

• the ruling class’s economic power is reflected in political power in the state

• other institutions also reflect ruling class economic power - working - classes families raise children who will become the next generation of workers

• ideology reflects the power of the ruling class

• the dominant ideas in society are those of the ruling class

• the dominant ideas in society are those of the ruling class

• as marx wrote ‘the ruling ideas of any society are the ideas of the ruling class’

what is the dialectic according to marx and engels

the dialectic is the idea that all systems contain internal conflict and tensions which creates movement and change - in society this appears as conflict between social classes

how does the dialectic appear in society according to marx and engels

as class struggle -the conflict between the opposing interests of different classes w

what liberal view of capitalism does marx reject

liberals argue that workers and capitalists share common interests

• workers benefit when business succeed through higher pay and more goods

• capitalists benefit from skilled and committed workers

why does marx reject the idea of shared interests

because although workers and capitalists depend on each other under capitalism , their relationship is fundamentally one of class conflict , not harmony

why do workers need capitalists under capitalism according to marx and engels

workers have no property and nothing to sell except their ability to work - without capitalists employing them , they would have no job and no means of survival

why do capitalists need workers according to marx

without workers factories would stand idle and capitalists would make no profit

what is class conflict according to marx

class conflict is when the interests of workers and capitalists clash with one another

give an example of class conflict over wages

workers want higher wages, but higher wages reduce capitalist profits so capitalists try to keep wages as low as possible

give an example of class conflict over working time

workers want shorter working days and longer holidays while capitalists want longer working days and shorter holidays to increase profits

give an example of class conflict over control at work

capitalists want to control what workers do at work, while workers want some freedom to control their working environment

what is class struggle according to marx

class struggle is the result of class conflict and can vary in intensity and take different forms

what is economic struggle according to marx

economic struggle is conflict over wages and working conditions - workers may form trade unions and organise strikes where the may collectively refuse to work to force improvements

what is ideological struggle according to marx

ideological struggle is a battle of a ideas where the ruling capitalist class uses it power to impose its views on society

how do capitalists spread their ideology according to marx

through control of institutions like the state, education system, and media, reinforcing the idea that capitalism is the best and most natural system what

what is ideology according to marx

a system of ideas representing the power of a class, used to justify its economic and social dominance

what is class consciousness according to marx

when the working class becomes aware that capitalist ideas are wrong and recognises its own class interests h

how does class struggle lead to class consciousness according to marx

by challenging and countering capitalist ideology, workers realise their shared interests as a class

what happens once the working class becomes class conscious according to marx

they can challenge the dominance of the capitalist class politically

what is political struggle according to marx

political struggle occurs when a class conscious working class challenges capitalist control of society

what is the ultimate aim of political class struggle according to marx

to remove the capitalist class and their state and replace it with a state based on the working class

how did marx believe a socialist society would look like:communism

• marx believed that people always co-operate to produce what they need, but the conditions of co-operation differ depending on the type of society

• in capitalism - co-operation is controlled by capitalists and organised for profit, not need

• it profit cannot be made production does not take place

• this leads to situations where factories are closed , workers are unemployed, people are in poverty, people want goods but cannot afford to buy them

• marx argued production should be run to satisfy human need, not profit and organised for society as a whole, not individual capitalists

• factories should be taken out of the hands of the capitalist class and put into the hands of society as a whole

• property would be communally owned

• ownership would belong to the ‘commune’

• the means of production would be collectively owned

• goods would be produced for social need, not the market

• society would operate on the principle ‘ from each according to their ability , to each according to their need’

• people would therefore work for society not for an individual paycheck and have their needs met in return

• marx believed communism would be stateless

• the state exists to enforce the rule of one class over another and protect the economic power of the ruling class

• since communist society would be classless the state would no longer be necessary

• co-operation would be voluntary and not based on force or coercion

• there would be little or no need to use force

• society would run its affairs through some form of direct democracy

luxemburg believed marxism should not become a reformist or parliamentary ideology but …

remain revolutionary

the goal of socialism according to luxemburg

to overthrow capitalism and create a new state based on the working class

luxemburgs view on parliament and elections

• did not believe socialism could be achieved through parliament

• however she believed revolutionaries should stand in elections - as the working class was already the majority in societies like germany, workers lacked revolutionary class consciousness , elections could be used to spread socialist ideas , raise class consciousness and help workers recognise their exploitation

luxemburgs view on reform ad revolution-

• believed the working class could win limited reforms under capitalism

• reforms could be achieved through trade union struggle and pressure through parliament

• however reform would never achieve socialism and they would fall short and could be reversed

• experiencing the failure or limits of reform would help convince workers that revolution was necessary

luxemburgs view on class consciousness

• luxemburg believed socialism required the working class to become class conscious

• workers needed to recognise they were exploited by capitalists and they could act collectively as a class

• reform struggles and elections were useful because they developed class consciousness

luxemburgs view on the state

• believed in the orthodox marxist view of the state

• the state is an instrument of the ruling class

• state institutions would resist social change and could overthrow a democratic government to protect capitalism

• therefore parliamentary representation cannot end capitalism

luxemburgs view on capitalism and crisis

• argued capitalism remains unstable and crisis-prone

• economic crises were inevitable

• even if workers conditions improved inequality would worsen and in crises sections of the working class would be pushed into poverty

luxemburgs view on dialectical change and class conflict

• luxemburg defended dialectical change

• history develops through inevitable conflict between the capitalist and working class

• this class conflict is what would create socialism

luxemburgs view on state ownership equalling socialism

• argued that state ownership alone is not socialism

• even when the state runs industries the state still serves capitalist class interests and state-owned companies operate for capitalism as a whole

luxemburgs view on socialism and history

• socialism is not primarily a moral system

• it is the inevitable next stage of historical development

• workers would be driven to take power because their interests are denied under capitalism

what is revisionism

re-examining and altering revolutionary marxism re

revisionists redefined socialism as

• achievable through elections

• compatible with capitalism

what strand did revisionism lead to

social democracy

core ideas of evolutionary socialism

• argues that socialism can be achieved gradually rather than through revolution

• it works through electoral and parliamentary politics

• it emphasises immediate reforms rather than the final end goal of socialism

• because of this focus on reform it often blurs into social democracy

evolutionary socialism on the state and reform

• supports reformist socialism and gradual implementation of reforms

• socialism is pursued through the state not through class struggle

• change in ownership comes from an elected government and acting through the state

• class struggle is not seen as the main driver of change

evolutionary socialism view of the working class

• workers suffer under capitalism and workers create society’s wealth

• however social change is not achieved directly by the working class but it is carried out on their behalf by the state

evolutionary socialism view on the common ownership

• webbs believes common ownership is state ownership and industries that are run by experts employed by the state

• state control id democratic and accountable to people as a whole and describe as ‘popular administration’

how is evolutionary socialism different from marxism

• marxists want

  • private property turned into collective property

  • direct control by the people

  • the state to wither away

• evolutionary socialists want

  • state property

  • a strong state that does not wither away

  • the state to be the central organiser of society

social democratic view on the economy

• accept a free-market economy

• disparities of wealth and power are less than they once were because much of the private ownership of the economy is in the hands of institutions like banks and pension funds

• the state can regulate the economy (keynesian) to avoid the crises and unemployment that capitalism caused in the past

• where the capitalist economy is failing, some sectors should go into state control

• where the private ownership of the economy creates inequality, the state can use taxation and redistribution of income to create fairer outcomes

• other sources of unfairness can be tackled by the state through equal opportunities policies

• but none of this comes close to ensuring total equality - social democrats settle for a fairer society

social democrats view on the state

• see the existing state as the institution that they can sue to carry policy out - unlike marxists who see the state as an instrument of class rule, SD’s see it as a straightforward instrument that an elected government can use to carry out its policies

• the state is the instrument of change - not an obstacle to it

• social democrats support the welfare state and keynesian economics

• the social democratic belief in greater equality of opportunity sees the state as a tool for doing this

• they believe the state needs to change but that an elected government can do this

• are positive with the ability of the state to take action to create greater equality of opportunity

• social democrats are high state-centred - where the capitalist economy creates problems they believe the state can intervene to correct this or in society where there are issues such as discrimination they believe that state action can resolve these issues

• webb = saw the state as the solution to all problems

• crossland = believed there were limits to what the state could do and the state should leave large sections of the economy and society to regulate themselves

social democrats view on society

• strongly focussed on society - believe that individual liberty needs strong social structures and these can be strengthened by state action to create a more caring , educated and tolerant society

• social democrats share the socialist view that a capitalist society produces unfair , unjust and unequal outcomes - the fundamental forms of inequality are related to class and education but include other forms of discrimination such as ethnicity and gender

• much of society should be beyond the control of the state, where people are free to do as they wish

• see the state as being the solution to these problems - the state can gradually change society to make it fairer more just and more equal - equality of opportunity is pursues as much as greater equality of outcome

• believe that society can evolve peacefully away from pure capitalism to a more equal form of social order through democratic reform

• believe class distinctions can be softened through policies like progressive taxation, welfare and education reform

• there should be social justice - society should be organised in way that is fair

social democrats view on human nature

• human nature is co-operative and social but not perfectly so ( less so than revolutionary socialists)

• human nature is malleable - it reflects the society in which we live

• poor social conditions will stop human potential from flourishing so a capitalist society characterised by competition and greed will create people in its own image - by creating a fairer and more just society , social democrats believe their ideas will lead to people behaving better

• human behaviour can be improved by changing society, particularly through state intervention

• human nature isn’t fixed , it can flourish in a more just, equal society

what is neo-revisionism

• a modern form of revisionism within socialism

• moves even further away from traditional or fundamentalist socialist goals

• neo-revisionists reject the idea that socialism must replace capitalism

• instead of collective ownership of the means of production , they accept capitalism