Socialism

bank of canada

bank of canada

the country's sole authority for issuing bank notes and is responsible for the design, production and distribution of Canada's bank notes

canada pension plan

a contributory, earnings-related social insurance program. It forms one of the two major components of Canada's public retirement income system, the other component being Old Age Security.

a monthly, taxable benefit that replaces part of your income when you retire

capitalism

an economic system based on free markets, fair competition, wise consumers, and profit-motivated producers; a minimum of government involvement is favoured

ccf

1. cooperative commonwealth federation

2. tommy douglas part of this political party

3. a political coalition of progressive, socialist and labour groups

4. created the regina manifesto, hospitalization, public auto insurance, labour code

5. evolved into the NDP in 1961

chartism

a working-class movement in Britain that focused on political and social reform from 1838 to 1848

inspired by people’s charter of 1838

6 main goals:

• Universal suffrage for all men over 21

• Equal-sized electoral districts

• Voting by secret ballot

• End to the need for property qualifications for parliament

• Pay for members of parliament

• Annual elections

collective agreement

aka collective labour agreement or collective bargaining

written contract negotiated through collective bargaining for employees by one or more trade unions with the management of a company that regulates the terms and conditions of employees at work

collective bargaining

process of negotiation between employers and a group of employees aimed at agreements to regulate working salaries, working conditions, benefits, and other aspects of workers' compensation and rights for workers

collective interest

the set of interests that members of a group have in common. The principle states that while individual members may have individual interests, these interests are often better addressed by making them a common set of interests that the group can address together. Individuals have both individual interests and collective interests.

common good

the good of a community; something that benefits the public health, safety, and/or well-being of society as a whole

cooperation

working together to the same end; a principle emphasized by collectivist ideologies

cooperative

an organization owned by its members that share similar economic, cultural and/or social needs. Each member has the right to vote, giving them democratic power within the organization.

cradle to grave

From birth to death; the idea that insurances and safety nets can and should exist and apply to someone at all stages of their life if needed

crown corporation

government organizations with a mixture of commercial and public-policy objectives. They are directly and wholly owned by the Crown

democratic socialism

left-wing political philosophy that supports political democracy and some form of a socially owned economy

particular emphasis on economic democracy, workplace democracy, and workers' self-management within a market socialist economy or an alternative form of a decentralised planned socialist economy

argue that capitalism is inherently incompatible with the values of freedom, equality, and solidarity and that these ideals can only be achieved through the realisation of a socialist society.

believed in by george orwell

economic equality

can mean any of the following:

• People with larger incomes should pay more taxes (progressive taxation).

• All people should earn equal wages for work of equal value.

• There should be a guaranteed annual income (GAI).

• All people should share in the wealth of the region, country, and world.

• People should own the means of production (factories, companies, etc.) collectively.

• Everything should be free.  There should be no private property.

egalitarianism

a political principle that holds that all people should be treated as equals and allowed equal civil, social, political, and economic rights under the law

employment insurance

a federal insurance program that provides benefits to eligible unemployed people.

feminism

the belief in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes. The term also stands for the movement that advocates for these equalities.

harm principle

created by john stuart mills

• The sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is self-protection

• The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others

• His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant. He cannot rightfully be compelled to do or forbear because it will be better for him to do so, because it will make him happier, because, in the opinion of others, to do so would be wise, or even right

• The only part of the conduct of anyone, for which he is amenable to society, is that which concerns others. In the part which merely concerns himself, his independence is, of right, absolute

• TLDR: can do whatever you want as long as you don't hurt others

humanitarianism

trying to improve the lives of others and to reduce their suffering through various means, including social reform and aid

labour code

an Act of the Parliament of Canada that: defines the rights and responsibilities of workers and employers in federally regulated workplaces, and sets out federal labour law

advocated for by the CCF

an example of labour legislation

• Decides minimum wage, benefits for overtime, things required by employees/employers

• Trade union acts

labour legislation

regulates both individual employment relationship and collective labour relations

it protects basic freedoms and rights at work

ensures minimum labour standards leaving the rest for social partners to define through collective bargaining

defines the contractual status (individual and collective) of employers and workers, including their mutual rights and responsibilities as well as dispute resolution machinery

labour relations

the relationship between the management of a company or organization and its workforce

labour union

associations of workers engaged in a similar function who unite to speak with management about their concerns. Their purpose is to provide a united voice that speaks for the rights of its members.

medicare

government national health insurance program in the United States, begun in 1965

federal health insurance for people 65 or older, some younger people with disabilities, people with End-Stage Renal Disease.

minimum wage

lowest amount that employers can legally pay their employees

the price floor below which employees may not sell their labor. Most countries had introduced this legislation by the end of the 20th century

ndp

new democratic party, evolved from the CCF, formed in 1961

supports a mixed economy, broader welfare, LGBT rights, international peace, environmental stewardship, and expanding Canada's universal healthcare system to include dental care, mental health care, eye and hearing care, infertility procedures, and prescription drugs.

new lanark

created by Robert Owen

cotton mill in Scotland that provided benefits to its workers

• phased out child labour

• provided schooling for children

• provided housing for workers

• provided a community store

• created a sick fund for workers

• instituted 8 hour workday

• hosted social activities

• provided plots for individual gardens

old age pension

a monthly payment you can get if you are 65 and older (in Canada)

peoples charter of 1838

inspired the chartist movement

called for six reforms to make the political system more democratic:

• A vote for every man aged twenty-one years and above, of sound mind, and not undergoing punishment for a crime.

• The secret ballot to protect the elector in the exercise of his vote.

• No property qualification for Members of Parliament (MPs), to allow the constituencies to return the man of their choice.

• Payment of Members, enabling tradesmen, working men, or other persons of modest means to leave or interrupt their livelihood to attend to the interests of the nation.

• Equal constituencies, securing the same amount of representation for the same number of electors, instead of allowing less populous constituencies to have as much or more weight than larger ones.

• Annual parliamentary elections, thus presenting the most effectual check to bribery and intimidation, since no purse could buy a constituency under a system of universal manhood suffrage in every twelve months

progressive

a person advocating or implementing social reform or new, liberal ideas.

progressive taxation

higher tax rates for those with higher income or more wealth, so that those who earn or have more are taxed at a higher rate

public auto insurance

created by the CCF

• government is the only insurance company

  • All money is given to gov, everyone in same situation pays same amount of money

    • Ex. all 17 year olds with clean record pay same amount

public enterprise

a business organization wholly or partly owned by the state and controlled through a public authority

public ownership

government provision of goods and services; the commercial or business activities of the state

central or local government owns industries, firms, and other assets such as housing, railways, or coal mines

public schooling

a school supported by public funds

regina manifesto

written by the CCF

Blueprint for how the country should operate going forward coming out of depression

Considered a more “radical document” when it was first released (Currently it is considered democratic)

primary goal was to eradicate the system of capitalism and replace it with a planned socialist economy

1. set up National Planning Commission

2. socialization of finance (control currency, credit, and prices)

3. social ownership (public utilities should be for public benefit)

4. agriculture (encourage production of products)

5. external trade (encourage import + export)

6. cooperative institutions

7. labour code

8. socialized health services, publicly organized health

9. BNA act (abolish canadian senate)

10. external relations (advance idea of international cooperation)

11. taxation and public finance (need fair tax system)

12. freedom (freedom of speech + assembly)

13. social justice (humanize the law)

14. emergency program (money for people in rough situtations)

secret ballot

voter's identity in an election or a referendum is anonymous. This forestalls attempts to influence the voter by intimidation, blackmailing, and potential vote buying

social justice

in relation to a fair balance in the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society where individuals' rights are recognized and protected

social safety net

consists of non-contributory assistance existing to improve lives of vulnerable families and individuals experiencing poverty and destitution

socialism

any ideology that contains the belief that resources should be controlled by the public for the benefit of everyone in society, and not by private interests for the benefit of private owners and investors

ranges from moderate + democratic to radication revolutionary Marxism

socialist

a person who advocates or practices socialism

agreed on the following:

• 1. Private ownership of production permits exploitation

• 2. State should direct economy to achieve economic equality for all citizens

• 3. Society should be classless

• Even though have common views, differed greatly in methods they advocate for achieving goals

trade union

an organized association of workers in a trade, group of trades, or profession, formed to protect and further their rights and interests

universal health care

all people have access to the full range of quality health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial hardship.

universal suffrage

the right of all members of society, once they reach the age of accountability, to fully participate politically. This participation begins with the right to vote.

utilitarianism

a theory of morality that advocates actions that foster happiness and oppose actions that cause unhappiness

utopia

an imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect

utopian socialism

rose in opposition to classical liberalism

socialism achieved by the moral persuasion of capitalists to surrender the means of production peacefully to the people.

• humanitarians who advocated to end working conditions in industrial capitalist countries

  • Idealistic rather than pragmatic

  • Didn’t want to overturn basic political economic, and social systems

welfare programs

a range of government programs that provide financial or other aid to individuals or groups who cannot support themselves

wheat board

agricultural marketing board headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Established in 1935, for much of its history it was the sole buyer and seller of Prairie wheat and barley destined for export from Canada or for human consumption in Canada.

workers compensation

a form of employer insurance coverage that pays benefits to workers who are injured or become disabled as a result of their job

working class

the socioeconomic group consisting of people who are employed in manual or industrial work

noam chomsky

• modern day socialist

• famous for his political commentary and has published and lectured widely on U.S. foreign policy, Mideast politics, democratic society, and war.

• believes individuals can gain job satisfaction and a sense of fulfilment and purpose by controlling their productive life

• argues that unpleasant and unpopular jobs could be fully automated, carried out by specially remunerated workers, or shared among everyone

tommy douglas

• leg was saved because the doctor liked him

• first elected to the House of Commons when he ran in the riding of Weyburn, Saskatchewan for the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) in the federal general election of 1935.

• resigned his federal seat to run in the Saskatchewan provincial election of 1944. He led the Saskatchewan CCF to a massive victory, winning 47 of 53 seats. It was the first democratic socialist government elected in North America.

• as premier he introduced universal hospitalization in Saskatchewan in 1949 and a Medicare plan for Saskatchewan in 1959, which paved the way for a national universal health care program.

• passed the Crown Corporation Act which led to the establishment of provincial air and bus lines, SaskPower and SaskTel.

• Labour legislation included the Trade Union Act, the improvement of workers compensation and minimum wages, and a labour relations board. 

• introduced the first public automobile insurance in Canada. 

• left on the political spectrum (socialist)

charles fourier

• Utopian socialist

• believed that the structure of the world—its economic, political, and social system—inhibited humanity from the pursuit of its God-given individual passions, thereby preventing it from achieving universal harmony

• believed that a society that cooperated would see an immense improvement in its productivity

horace greeley

• utopian socialist

• demanded the early end of slavery

• joined the radical antislavery faction of the Republican Party

• denounced more conservative Republicans

• urged a number of educational reforms, especially free common-school education for all

michael moore

• american film director

• works frequently address the topics of globalization and capitalism

• publicly known for his award-winning debut documentary Roger & Me, a scathing look at the downfall of the automotive industry in 1980s Detroit

industrial revolution

shifted societies from an agrarian economy to a manufacturing economy where products were no longer made solely by hand but by machines. This led to increased production and efficiency, lower prices, more goods, improved wages, and migration from rural areas to urban areas.

claude saint-simon

• utopian socialist

• foresaw the industrialization of the world, and he believed that science and technology would solve most of humanity's problems

• in opposition to feudalism and militarism, he advocated an arrangement whereby businessmen and other industrial leaders would control society

• credited with advocating the idea of a “science of society,” in which the

  natural laws of society, just like the natural laws of the sciences, would be

  used to guide progress.

john stuart mill

• established this rule over English thought through his writings in logic, epistemology, economics, social and political philosophy, ethics, metaphysics, religion, and current affairs.

• argued strongly for free speech, which he believed was a necessary condition for intellectual and social progress

• wrote On Liberty, published in 1859, in which he explored the limits of power that can legitimately be exercised over the individual

• recognized the potential dangers of allowing the will of the majority to be imposed over minorities to the detriment of other liberal principles in what he called the “tyranny of the majority”

• demonstrated an early insight into the value of the natural world recognizing wealth beyond the material, and arguing that the logical conclusion of unlimited growth was destruction of the environment and a reduced quality of life

• In the latter part of his life, he began to amend his thinking on economics to argue in favour of the benefits of combined labour and common ownership

• also saw women’s issues as important and began to write in favor of greater rights for women. With this, he can be considered one of the earliest feminists

• left on political spectrum (socialist)

robert owen

• considered to be the father of the co-operative movement

• age 10, he was sent to London to be apprenticed as a draper and by his early twenties he was a successful manager in the textile mills of Manchester

• believed character was formed by experience and that the dreadful environment of child workers would inevitably lead to damaged and de-humanised adults

• put his beliefs into practice by opening up a cotton spinning mill in New Lanark, Scotland, which provided workers with improved working conditions and other benefits, including housing, schools, day cares, stores and leisure activities

• wrote A New View of Society (1813) which explained his vision

• His social and economic experimentation in New Lanark attracted the notice of many in Britain and more widely in Europe. Manufacturers thought they might find humane ways of improving their profits, and many in society found hope in an example of working conditions that seemed to allow people to develop more fully and to be less likely to have to live in squalid urban settlements in the future

• fostered a cooperative spirit between management and labour and introduced incentives to reward employees

• left on political spectrum (socialist)

jean jacques rousseau

• claimed that the state of nature is a brutish condition without law or morality, and that there are good men only a result of society's presence

•  In the state of nature, man is prone to be in frequent competition with his fellow men. Because he can be more successful facing threats by joining with other men, he has the impetus to do so. He joins together with his fellow men to form the collective human presence known as "society."

• "The Social Contract" is the "compact" agreed to among men that sets the conditions for membership in society.

• one of the first modern writers to seriously attack the institution of private property, and therefore is considered a forebear of modern socialism.  He believed that private property and ownership of land lead to jealousy and corruption.

• wrote The Social Contract, published in 1762, which had a significant influence on subsequent political philosophers

• questioned the assumption that the will of the majority is always correct.  He was therefore opposed to representative democracy in favour of direct democracy

• argued that the goal of government should be to secure freedom, equality, and justice for all within the state, regardless of the will of the majority

• first principle: politics and morality should not be separated. When a state fails to act in a moral fashion, it ceases to function in the proper manner and ceases to exert genuine authority over the individual

• second principle: is freedom, which the state is created to preserve.