SOCIALISM

edexel

Core view of human nature

• optimistic

• Fraternal

• Rational

• Communal

• Malleable

Optimistic view

Dismiss any notion that human being should meekly accept their fate or be fearful of the future. Confident that human beings are destined for a vastly improved world, both individually and generally.

Fraternal

Brotherly/comradely. Naturally inclined towards generosity and concern for others.

We are naturally cooperative and collaborative, regarding each other as quasi siblings.

Even high earners in a capitalists economy could be rationally persuaded that their own success should finance greater help for the less fortunate (Anthony Giddens)

Rational

Naturally logical and rational

We act both reasonably and collaboratively Thus masking sensible decisions more likely.

Collectively plan progress in a methodical manner (Webb, Crosland)

Communal

We naturally seek to be part of a community rather than restlessly seeking autonomy and individual Independence.

Catalyst for a spontaneous revolution (Luxemburg)

Voluntary communities where everyone would be accommodated according to their ‘needs’ rather ‘abilities’ (marx)

Malleable

(Marx) human nature would be gradually restored. Human nature has been contaminated by forces.

Repairable, even perfectible through bold socialist reform (Giddens)

Core view of society

• existential

• Collectivists

• Class-focused

• Egalitarian

Existential

• without proper appreciation of society, any understanding of human nature is impossible.

Significant to human condition.

Traditional societies often damage both the potential and attitude of their individual members. Society can be somehow improved, the condition and prospects of its individuals will be improved as well.

Collectivists

• Best when it stresses collectivism

Individuals efforts are practically and morally superior when tied to the efforts and interests of others. Effective when they act as a unit

Encourages the concept of being stronger when working together while promoting individual interests must always be secondary to interests of society collectively.

Class focused

Class division between manual and non-manual workers, which reflects a split between those who are well paid and those who are not. Reflects those who ‘own’ their working lives and those whose working lives are determined by others.

Assumption that society is shaped and defined by class differences and often class conflict.

Many individuals are limited by the social class into which they are born - highlighting gravitons inequalities of opportunity then create a broader inequalities in society.

Egalitarian

Formal equality is meaningless if accompanied by society that has huge inequalities of wealth and power. For society to have real equality of opportunity, it must also have greater equality of outcome. Class differences are narrowed.

View of economy

• fundamental

• Redistributive

• Ambivalent about capitalism

• Interventionists

Fundamental

(Marx) historic change to occur, radical political change must always be accompanied by radical economic freedom.

(Giddens) perfectly possible to create better kind of society with greater social justice without overhauling the existing capitalist economy.

Economic policy is central to the socialist project of a fairer more equal society

Redistributive

Redistribution of wealth and resources, aim to narrow the gap between the richest and poorest at classes.

Ambivalent about capitalism

Revolutionary socialists (+ Beatrice Webb): capitalism is wholly incompatible with socialist's economics. As capitalism always generates huge disparities of wealth.

Revisionist socialists: effective capitalism is precondition of an effective socialists economics policy, creating the wealth which socialists governments can then redistribute equitably.

Interventionists

Greater government intervention in the economy.

Reject purely laissez-faire or libertarian form of capitalism

Creating a more equal society adopted more hand on approach to the economy

View of the state

• rejection to anarchism

• Rejection to ‘medieval’ state

• An enlarged state

Rejection of anarchism

• equality and progress generally are impossible without a strong state.

(Marx) eventually the state will wither away - strong state still essential

Rejection of medieval states

• incompatible with egalitarian society.

Reject the monarchical state, the theocratic state and aristocratic state. Instead advocate state where political power had been redistributed and where decision asking effects the principles of equality and fraternity.

An enlarged state

• extensive and pervasive

• state-sponsored collectivism

Statist collectivism include:

• progressive taxation ensures richer classes pay more than the poorer classes

• Greater public spending uses tax yield to improve conditions of society’s less fortunate

• Universal public services uses tax yield to guarantee public access are available to all.

Revolutionary socialism key thinkers

• karl marx and friend rich engles

• Rosa lexemberg

Revolutionary socialism, what is it?

Holds that socialism can be brought about only by the overthrown of the existing political and societal structures

Revolutionary socialism core belief

Capitalism is corrupt/unsalvageable a new socialist state requires total destruction of existing political/social structures

Revolutionary socialism key concepts

• class struggle: divided between the minority of bourgeoisie and the proleteriat

• Dictatorship of the proletariat

• History is a series of stages of economic developments

• Class consciousness: workers must understand their exploitation for revolution to happen (false conciousness - capitalism fosters in it workers a distorted outlook at odds with their real interests)

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels view of human nature

Originally fraternal and altruistic, but has been contaminated by capitalism instilling false conciousness, revolutionary socialism can fix this

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels view of The state

The state must be destroyed by revolution and replaced by a new socialists state: dictatoship of the proleteriat

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels view of Society

Capitalistic society is sickengly yet fatally defined by class interests and class conflict. A communists society will be the perfect end of history

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels view of The economy

Capitalism is corrupt, inefficient and ultimetely self destructive. Should and will be replaced by economy based on collective ownership.

Rosa Luxemburg view of human nature

Had not been damaged to the extent marx alleged. Fraternity and altruism still flourishing in working class communities punished by capitalistic economics.

Rosa Luxemburg quote on human nature

‘Our instincts is not to win but to share … and should we be fortunate enough to be on the winning side, our ultimate instinct is to share the fruits of citron with other’s’

Rosa Luxemburg view of the state

Existing capitalistic state must be destroyed by revolution but one arising from strike action, replacement state should be genuine democracy, complete with free speech and free elections

Rosa Luxemburg quote

‘Impatient with injustice, impatient for socialism’

Rosa Luxemburg view of society

Capitalistic society is class-ridden and morally indefensible, yet alternative societies or sub-cultures exist within downtrodden proleteriat communities

Rosa Luxemburg view of the economy

Capitalism is more resilient than marx allowed. It’s necessary destruction and replacement based on workers control will require determination and solidarity among the proleteriat.

Evolutionary socialists key thinkers

Beatrice Webb (democratic socialism)

Evolutionary socialism, what is it?

Advocating a reformists or evolutionary brand of socialism within the structures of existing society

Evolutionary socialism, key concepts

• still rejected capitalism as a long-term economic system, economy based on private ownership was unpredictable and unstable ‘at odds with the equitable distribution of wealth’

• Commended more ‘orderly economy’ where ‘economic development could be planned logically’ where clashes on interest are resolved constructively by elected governments

• Gradualism: existing state should promote slow but steady movement to public ownership and socialism

• Argued revolutions were intrinsically ‘chaotic, unmanagble and therefore counterproductive’ - replicated many problems associated with capitalism

Beatrice Webb views on human nature

Damage inflicted by capitalism will only be made worse by violent revolution. Humanity needs to be guided back, gradually to its original, cooperative condition.

Beatrice Webb quote on human nature

‘There is no excuse for depressive inaction. There is no cause for listless despondency. A better tomorrow is conceivable, achievable and probable.’

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

Beatrice Webb view on the state

If harness to universal suffrage the existing state could be used for a gradual transition to socialism

Beatrice Webb view on society

The poverty and inequalities of a capitalist society continue to depress human potential while fostering regressive competition

Beatrice Webb views on the economy

Chaotic capitalists economy will gradually be replaced by on which gives workers the full fruits of their labour, based upon common ownership of the means of production.

revisionist socialism key thinkers

• Anthony Crosland (social democracy)

• Anthony Giddens (third way)

social democracy, what is it?

rejects revolution and believes the existing state could promote a socialists agenda. do not support the ultimate disappearance of capitalism, rather see capitalism as an ally of socialists governments.

social democracy key concepts

• class revisited

• the mixed economy

• Keynesianism

• public spending not ownership

• welfarism

class revisited

• a growing ‘managerial’ class, compromising supervisor, technocrats, sectional heads and assorted ‘experts’. - managing and directing post war economy

• neither ‘exploited’ proletarians, nor part of an ‘exploiting’ bourgeoisie

the mixed economy

‘pragmatic blend of public and private ownership’ made further nationalisation unnecessary and unpopular with voters.

Keynesianism

belief that the problematic tendencies of capitalism had been eliminated.

• managerial capitalism

adjustable tax rates, interests rates, public spending projects and other forms of state intervention

• guaranteed steady growth, full employment and removal of one of socialists traditional objections to capitalism, that it was ‘cynical’

public spending not public ownership

constant economic growth allowed a constant growth in tax revenue, enlarged tax revenue allowed a steady growth of public spending, enlarged public spending allowed an expansion of public services, which then allowed redistribution of wealth, benefiting the poorer classes. new road to equality and socialism

welfarism

network of public services and state benefits which served to mitigate poverty and inequality.

Anthony Crosland view of human nature

powerful sense of ‘fairness’ and an innate objection to huge inequalities of outcome

Anthony Crosland view of the state

democratic socialists prove that the existing state can be used to effect radical, socialists change.

Anthony Crosland view of society

society is increasingly complicated, altered by the emergence of new social groups compromising ‘meritocratic’ managers and ‘classless’ technocrats

Anthony Crosland about society quote

‘we cannot separate who we are from the sort of society we have. our perspectives, our prospects, our very personalities, are affected by the society we are born into’

Anthony Crosland view of the economy

a mixed economy underpinned by limited public ownership and Keynesian capitalism will finance the greater public spending necessary to secure equality.

Anthony Crosland quote about the economy

‘it is difficult to redistribute wealth if there is no wealth to redistribute…and to ensure wealth we need the engine of private enterprise‘.

the third way (neo-revisionists) the similarities with social democracy

• both advocated form of non-revolutionary socialism

• both sought to harness capitalism to the quest for greater equality

• both agreed that the future of socialism involved more public spending

• both believed that clause IV was obsolete

key concepts of the third way

• triangulation

• the remixed economy

• cultural equality

• communitarianism

• redistribution of political power

Triangulation

social democracy and new right conservatism. combine the social values of social democracy with neo-liberal economics of the new right

offered a route to both social justice and economic efficiency

The remixed economy

extending capitalism and by exploiting the new opportunities for economic growth provided by globalisation,

‘produce higher profits, higher earnings, and higher tax yields for higher public spending’

cultural equality

modern society was ‘more diverse, multi-racial and cosmopolitan’

various laws promoting racial, gender and sexual equality

communitarianism

main aim was to repair divisions within society and to ensure ensure that society was not damaged by racial and cultural tensions

• important to validate ethnic minority communities.

• importance of social cohesion and communal solidarity. individual freedom was vital but it was impossible without a stable, harmonious society.

retribution of political power

promoted the ‘sharing’ of political power

promoted devolution of Scotland and Wales, regional governance and elective city majors

Anthony Giddens view of human nature

shaped by changing socio-economic conditions. the pro fairness instinct is still present but now competes with a sharpened sense if individual aspiration.

Anthony Giddens view of the state

existing liberal state should be improved, redistributing and decentralising political power while encouraging greater political participation

Anthony Giddens view of society

society has undergone embourgeoisement - egalitarians must harness, rather than deny, these forces.

Anthony Giddens view of the economy

a meo-liberal economy, propelled by privatisation and deregulation will provide huge tax yields

this will finance huge increase in public spending. which will secure greater equality or opportunity.

tensions within socialism: Human nature

• all believe human nature is malleable, improvable, ‘plastic’ not permanent. Karl Marx believe human nature is susceptible to whichever economic system it lives under. people are likely to suffer a ‘false consciousness’, can be cured only by revolt and overthrow capitalism. Giddens argue it can prosper under capitalism, still appreciate the importance of core socialist beliefs.

tensions within socialism: Society

all see our social environment as crucial determinant of our personalities. but disagree whether it can improved gradually. Marx see as contrary to socialist values that only revolution can ensure progress. Webb, reforms that gradually curtail private ownership. Crosland/Giddens improvements alongside capitalism.

tensions within socialism: The state

state is important to promote socialist values. but differ what kind of state. Marx/Luxemburg capitalism destroyed by revolt and replaced would eventually wither away. evolutionary believed state could be used steer society towards socialist values

tensions within socialism: the economy

Revolutionary and evolutionary believe socialism is incompatible with capitalist economy and private property. Crosland believe in mix.