Socialism core ideas

Key thinkers

Marx

Engels

Rosa Luxemburg

Beatrice Webb

Anthony Crossland

Anthony Giddens

Origins of socialism

the enlightenment, like liberalism

major difference between socialism and liberalism

the issue of private property

when did criticism of private property become more intense

industrial revolution

capitalism

an economic system based on private property, private enterprise and competition between individuals and private organisations

common ownership

an alternative to private property and capitalism

view of human nature

optimistic

fraternal

communal

malleable

What did Marx and Engels think about liberalism

a grossly inadequate response to the problems caused by capitalism

Optimistic view of human nature

socialists are confident that human beings are destined for a much improved world and will eventually reach class consciousness

utopian socialists

earliest type of socialist which was based around the vision of a perfect utopia lived in model communities

fraternal view of human nature

humans are naturally brotherly and drawn to generosity and concern for others

Rosa quote on human nature

‘our instinct is not to win but share’

Giddens on cooperation

even the highest earners in a capitalist economy could be rationally persuaded to use their success to finance the less fortunate rather than just make more money

socialism and rationality

human beings are naturally logical and rational but we can act both reasonably and collaboratively so sensible decisions are more likely

crucial advantage enjoyed by humans according to webb and crosland

capacity to collectively plan progress in a methodical manner, as opposed to the laissez faire approach of liberalism

communal nature

we naturally seek to be part of a community rather than relentlessly seeking autonomy and individualism

beatrice webb on communal nature

‘we are not lone wolves.. we forever seek out the company of the pack.’

solidarity

standing together with those of similar interests

once capitalism was destroyed what would humans realise according to marx

that selfishness was a symptom of false consciousness and service to a community was a true source of pleasure

malleable human nature

human nature can be changed rather than being permanently fixed at birth and it will be restored after the fall of capitalism (Marx)

Example of human nature being malleable in politics

Tony Blair’s ‘tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime’

as human nature is malleable it is thus

repairable and even perfectible through bold socialist reform

socialist view of society (4 points)

existential

collectivist

class focused

egalitarian

Why is society considered existentially important by socialists?

Because socialists believe human nature can't be understood outside the social context people live in.

What do socialists believe about traditional societies?

That they often harm individuals' potential and attitudes.

How do socialists view human nature in relation to society?

Human nature is malleable, so a better society can create better individuals.

What key question follows from socialism’s view of society and human nature?

How can society be improved to help individuals thrive?

when is society at its best

when it stresses collectivism

collectivism

the idea that an individual’s efforts are practically and morally superior when tied to the efforts and interests of others

collectivist society

a socialist society will be one that encourages people being stronger when working together and promoting the view that individual interests should always be secondary to society collectively

class within socialism

defines an individual’s lifestyle, prospects and political views

to improve society what must be acknowledged

the importance of social class as it shapes society

egalitarian society

formal equality is meaningless if it is accompanied by a society with huge inequality, therefore there should be equality of opportunity and outcome

social justice

legal justice isn’t enough to secure equality of opportunity, it must be accompanied by social justice like universal education and healthcare

socialist view of the economy

fundamental

redistributive

ambivalent about capitalism

interventionist

fundamental nature of the economy

socialism attaches huge importance to the economy, Marx thought that any radical political change had to be accompanied by radical economic change

redistributive economy

the creation of an egalitarian society must involve redistribution of wealth and resources to narrow the gap between rich and poor

Orthodox socialists

a form of socialism where it is assumed that capitalism must be abolished for socialism to be achieved, usually via revolution

for which socialists is capitalism incompatible with socialist economics

orthodox socialists like Marx, Engels, Luxembourg and Webb

capitalism for revisionist socialists

effective capitalism is the precondition of an effective socialist economic policy as it creates the wealth which socialist governments can then redistribute equitably

what do all socialists agree about regarding the economy

there should be greater government intervention in the economy

what do all socialists reject

a purely laissez faire form of capitalism

what is the overall aim that unites all socialists

creating a more equal society

equal pay act

1970, introduced by government that included Anthony Crossland and is an example of government intervention to create a more equal economy

socialist view of the state

rejection of anarchism

rejection of medieval states

an enlarged state

why do socialists reject revolutionary anarchism

because they believe that equality and progress cannot happen without a strong state so you could call it ‘state sponsored egalitarianism’

socialism and pre enlightenment states

are incompatible as political power needs to be distributed so that decision making can reflect the principles of equality and fraternity

socialism and size of the state

a modern state should be extensive and pervasive at least until the end of history for Marx

what do socialists disagree on concerning the state and the economy

whether the state should own the economy and if so how much

what kind of state do all socialists agree on

an enlarged state which should expand its involvement

features of a socialist state

• progressive taxation

• greater public spending

• universal public services