Evolutionary Socialist/Social Democracy Concepts and Thinkers

What do evolutionary socialists believe about the fate of capitalism?

They think that capitalism will/should eventually cease to exist, replaced by socialism through reform after reform chipping away at it

What form of method do evolutionary socialists believe in?

Legal/parliamentary methods, peaceful and non-violent, passing laws and social reforms that improve the lives of the working class (e.g shorter working day)- use of the WELFARE STATE

What kind of economics do social democracy/evolutionary socialists subscribe to?

Keynesian economics- mixed-economy, regulating the capitalist economy

Example of Webb subscribing to Keynesian economics?

She was involved in writing the Labour party constitution and added clause IV which committed the party to nationalisation of the big industries

What is the central idea of social democracy?

Social justice- encouraging equality and fairness within society by redistributing wealth

What did Crosland write and when?

'The Future of Socialism' in 1956

What did Crosland describe as 'managerialism'?

A new class which has emerged of managers not fitting neatly into the category of bourgeoisie or of proletariat (critiques binary class conflict)

What did Crosland believe about how class has changed since Marx?

Capitalism is no longer just a system of harsh class oppression, a new business-owning class has emerged which is more concerned with positive employee-employer relations- social democrats are less strong on class conflict

What do social democrats believe about economic growth (more-so later social democrats)?

Economic growth can be/is a good thing because the wealth being produced can be taxed to help the working class through welfare

Webb iconic quote on gradualism:

"the inevitability of gradualism" -basically wait for capitalism to slowly decay bc it will happen eventually (lacks urgency and immediacy)

Webb on revolution and overthrowing capitalism: "chaotic, inefficient...

...and counter-productive"

Crosland on common ownership: "Nationalisation... does not in itself...

...engender greater equality"- does not have dogmatic support of common ownership and nationalisation like revolutionary socialists

Crosland on revolution/breaking the law: "I could not condone, let alone encourage...

...defiance of the law"

Crosland on how capitalism has benefitted the working class:

He argues that the working class today experiences the living standards of what would've been considered middle class two decades ago

What do evolutionary socialists believe about the state?

The expansion of the state will assist in delivering socialism (welfare state/redistribution of wealth)- the state is seen as a helper and less as an enemy to socialism

What did Webb believe about workers control of the state?

It was not necessary or really that beneficial- she actually believed in a limited franchise

Crosland on the usefulness of Marxism in modern society: "Marx has little or nothing...

...to offer the contemporary socialist"-- class has become much more complicated

How did Crosland believe about education?

He believed it was very very important to ensuring more people could benefit from meritocracy/capitalism

Did Crosland believe that humans are naturally attracted to fairness?

Yes-- he said that humans have a sense of fairness that makes them recoil at grossly different levels of wealth

Did Crosland call for absolute equality of outcome?

NO-- he only called for relative equality, there can be differences but there can't be extreme gaps in wealth in society

How did Attlee's post-WW2 government show evidence of Social Democracy in its economic policy?

The nationalisation of key industries such as coal, gas, electricity, steel etc (but not ALL industries like the new more lucrative ones)-- SELECTIVE NATIONALISATION

What do social democrats believe to be the main merit of capitalism?

It is a good generator of wealth-- overall wealth production improves the standard of living (Crosland says that today's working class lives like the middle class of two decades ago)

What kind of economy do social democrats want?

A mixed economy run by Keynesian economics-- NOT communism, NOT absolute collective ownership and abolition of private property

What do Social Democrats believe should be done to address the flaws of capitalism?

The state managing the economy with Keynesian economics, the introduction of welfare, redistribution of wealth (progressive taxation) to close wealth gaps

What kind of political means do social democrats want to apply?

Democratic methods, concerned with popular consent--getting elected and making legislative change as opposed to overthrowing the system without consent