SOCIALISM KEY THINKERS

What is Marx and Engels’ view of human nature?

Human nature, originally fraternal and altruistic has been contaminated by capitalism instilling the false consciousness of bourgeois values. Revolutionary socialism however wil repair this.

What is Marx and Engels’ view of the state?

The existing liberal bourgeois state is a tool of dominant capitalist class; it must be destroyed by revolution and replaced by a new socialist state: the dictatorship of the proletariat.

What is Marx and Engels’ view of society?

Capitalist society is sickeningly yet fatally defined by class interest and class conflict. A communist society will be the perfect end of history.

What is Marx and Engels’ view of the economy?

Capitalism is corrupt inefficient and ultimately self destructive, it should and will replaced by an economy based on collective ownership.

What is Rosa Luxemburg’s view of human nature?

Human nature has not been damaged to the extent Marx alleged. Fraternity and altruism still flourish in working class communities punished by capitalist economics.

What is Rosa Luxemburg’s view of the state?

The exists capitalist state must be destroyed by revolution but one arising but one arising from strike action. The replacement state should be genuine democracy complete with free speech and free elections.

What is Rosa Luxemburg’s view of society?

Capitalist society is class ridden and morally indefensible, yet alternative societies or sub cultures, exist within downtrodden proletarian communities.

What is Rosa Luxemburg’s view of the economy?

Capitalism is more resilient than Marx believed. Its necessary destruction and replacement by an economy based on workers’ control will require determination and solidarity among the proletariat.

What is Beatrice Webb’s view of human nature?

The damage inflicted by capitalism upon the human psyche will only be made worse by violent revolution. Humanity needs to be guided back gradually, to its original cooperative condition.

What is Beatrice Webb’s view of the state?

If harnessed to universal suffrage, the existing state could be used for a gradual transition to socialism.

What is Beatrice Webb’s view of society?

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

What is Beatrice Webb’s view of the economy?

A chaotic capitalist economy will gradually be replaced by one which gives workers the full fruits of their labour based upon common ownership of the means of production.

What is Anthony Crosland’s view of human nature?

Human nature has a powerful sense of fairness and an innate objection to huge inequalities of outcome.

What is Anthony Crosland’s view of the state?

Democratic socialist governments prove that the existing state can be used to effect radical, socialist change.

What is Anthony Crosland’s view of society?

Society is increasingly complicated, altered by the emergence of new social groups comprising ‘meritocratic’ managers and ‘classless’ technocrats.

What is Anthony Crosland’s 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.

What is Anthony Giddens’ view of human nature?

Human nature is shaped by changing socio-economic conditions. The pro fairness instinct is still present, but it now competes with a sharpened sense of individual aspiration.

What is Anthony Giddens’ view of the state?

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

What is Anthony Giddens’ view of society?

Society had undergone embourgeoisement - egalitarians must harness, rather than deny these forces.

What is Anthony Giddens’ view of the economy ?

A neo-liberal economy, propelled by privatisation and deregulation will provide huge tax yields. This will finance huge increases in public spending which will secure greater equality of opportunity.