socialism

how has socialism emerged

• Emerged in the 19th century as a response to the Industrial Revolution.

• The Industrial Revolution and the development of capitalism led to:

  • Great class divisions

  • Economic inequalities

  • Harsh working conditions

  • Low wages for workers

  • A widening gap between the working class and wealthy industrialists (the capitalist class).

• Early socialists like Marx and Engels criticized the capitalist system for its exploitation of the working class.

• Argued for the overthrow of capitalism in favor of a system that pursues:

  • Equality through wealth redistribution

  • Workers controlling the means of production

core ideas

• Common Humanity: Humans are social creatures with positive tendencies towards cooperation, sociability, and rationality.

• Societal Influence: Human nature is shaped by the society in which people live.

• Equality: Economic inequality is considered fundamentally unfair and undermines collectivism and cooperation, necessitating state intervention.

• Social Class: Class exploitation is inherent to capitalism and should be abolished.

• Workers' Control: Advocates for worker control over workplace management and broader economic decision-making, potentially through nationalization or common ownership.

• Opposition to Capitalism: Socialists are deeply opposed to capitalism and seek to replace it with an alternative system.

• Collectivism: The belief in the importance of collective action and shared resources.

collectivism

• It is a foundational principle of socialism.

• The needs and well-being of the community should take precedence over individual interests.

• Humans are naturally sociable and cooperative.

• Embodies the idea of fraternity:

  • Emphasizes mutual aid, shared responsibilities, and communal bonds.

  • Humans are at their best when working collaboratively for the common good.

• Support for trade unionism:

  • Empowers workers to bargain collectively for better wages and resource distribution.

  • Demonstrates how the combined strength of a group can achieve beneficial outcomes for all members.

common humanity

Common Humanity emphasizes that humans are social creatures with positive tendencies towards cooperation, sociability, and rationality.

• Optimistic View of Human Nature:

  • Sees people as inherently cooperative, social, and rational.

  • Believes humans are motivated by improving society and collectivism, not just material self-improvement.

  • Emphasizes fraternity, communal bonds, and collective action.

• Malleability of Human Nature:

  • Argues that human nature isn't static but shaped by societal and economic systems.

  • Views competitive and aggressive behaviors under capitalism as responses to the environment, not true human nature.

  • Believes altering societal structures can release more positive aspects of human nature.

equality

• Socialists argue that economic inequality is fundamentally unfair and undermines collectivism and cooperation. They reject liberal thought that justifies economic disparities as a natural consequence of individual differences, arguing that inequalities are a product of structural inequalities in capitalist systems. They advocate for redistributive policies.

social class

• Social class is central to socialism, based on one’s relationship to the means of production.

• Capitalist class (bourgeoisie) owns the means of production; working class (proletariat) does not and sells their labor.

• Class conflict between these groups is seen as the engine of societal change.

• Socialists believe this conflict will lead to proletarian revolution and the end of capitalism.

• Aim to empower the working class as the key agent of change.

• The goal is a classless society through collective ownership of production.

• Eradicating class divisions is seen as both a moral and economic necessity.

• Socialists view capitalism as the root of class divisions; thus, abolishing capitalism is essential to eliminate class.

workers control

• Workers' control is a core principle of socialist thought.

• Involves workers managing the workplace, economy, and state.

• Aims to end capitalist exploitation by transferring control to the workers.

• Extends to common ownership or nationalization—workers’ control over the state and key industries.

• Closely tied to collectivism, the belief that the economy should be state-controlled for the benefit of all.

• Seen as essential for achieving a fairer, more democratic economic system.

fraternity

relationship between people

capitalism

wealth is privately owned and economies are driven by market forces

communism

specifically refers to the final stage of societal evolution with a classless, stateless society.

marxism

political theories of karl marx that communism is inevitable

revolutionary socialism

• destruction of capitalist system- overthrow of existing world order

• state would be governed by dictatorship of proletariat

• After a brief period of the dictatorship of the proletariat, the state would wither away, leading to a communist society.

• After seizing control, the working class would fundamentally change society, emphasizing:

  • Workers control

  • Collectivism

  • Common humanity

  • Equality

mark,engels,luxemburg

democratic socialism/ revisionism/ evolutionary

• Complete abolition of capitalism.

• Achieving equality through incremental legislative and social reforms.

• Maintaining commitment to socialism's goals.

• Rejecting the necessity of revolution.

• webb- inevitability of gradualism

what is social democracy

• branch of revolutionist socialism (compatible w capitalism) unline fundamental socialism which believes capitalism must be erradicated to create a socialist state

social democrats believe in

• rationality

• evolutionary socialism - will gradually be achieved within existing systems

• operating within current political structures

• a mixed economy in a capitalist framework

• major state involvement in the econmy

• nationalisation of some private industry

• keynesian economics- mitigates boom and busts of economics

• crosland- future of socialism- redistribution services

third way

• iberalisation of the economy to provide more public spending money

• Accepts privatization and the free market, but advocates for state intervention to

• Globalization and modernization mean that free-market capitalism is the best system for economic growth.

• greater focus on social and political equality as well as economic equality

• Move away from Keynesianism.

• No longer supports workers' control or collectivism.

• Focus on equality of opportunity rather than equality of outcome.

• Embraces capitalism rather than opposing it.

• Supports a strong but reformed welfare state to help individuals succeed and promote social mobility.

• The welfare state should provide a safety net rather than redistribute wealth.

the four types of socialism agree and disagree on

The State

Agreements

• The state should intervene to promote equality and fix capitalism’s failures.

Disagreements

• How much workers should control the state.

• How far state intervention should go economically.

• Whether collectivism is the goal.

• Whether to overthrow capitalism by revolution or transition gradually via evolutionary socialism.

The Economy 💸

Agreements:

• Capitalism is flawed, creating inequality and class divisions, so economic restructuring is needed for equality.

Disagreements:

• Whether capitalism should be eradicated, managed, or accepted.

• How much workers’ control and collectivism to pursue.

• What kind of equality to aim for (absolute vs. equality of opportunity).

Society 🧑‍🤝‍🧑

Agreements:

• Society should pursue equality, and capitalism creates class divisions.

Disagreements

• The role of collectivism and workers’ control in society.

• What form of equality is desirable.

• Whether class exploitation is inherent under capitalism.

• The nature of class divisions (binary vs. complex).

Human Nature 🧠

Agreements:

• Humans are cooperative, sociable, rational, and can change.

Disagreements:

• Whether capitalism allows this positive human nature to flourish.

• The degree of individual progress possible under capitalism.

• If revolution and communism are needed to realize humanity’s potential.

four types of socialism

• revolutionary

• democratic

• social democratic

• third way

diaelectical materialism

• philosophy of mind is determined by context in which they exist

• cannot exist independently of material circumstances

• leads to historical materialism ie bourgeoisie and proletariat in a capitalist society

revisionist

someone who contradicts the established ideas of previous thinkers

cooperative movement

movement of collective ownership. webb developed the idea in which workers form collectively owned organisations and cooperative federalism in which consumers own the business that they buy from

Marx and engels

Human nature

• humans are social creatures but damaged by capitalism

• developed theory dialectical materialism

state

• existng gov will be destroyed by revolution and replaced by socialist state

• a dictatroship of the proletariat will create classless society

• state becomes unneccesary

society

• society should be classless ‘history of class struggles’

• replace the state ‘taking from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs’

economy

• abolition of private property and collective ownership of means of production

luxemburg

• Mass strikes

• Political demonstrations

• Mobilization of trade unions

• social cohesion exists within social classes

state

• exisiting gov will be destoryed and replaced by workers based society whichbdoesnt require tight party organisation

society

• class and conciousness and material conditions will result in inevitable spontaneousness mass strike by workers

economy

• mass trike will overthrow capitalism and replace it with an economy based workers control

webb

Human nature

• should be replaced by evolutionary process

state

• universal suffrage would be inevitably lead to working class voting for socialist state

society

• poverty must be tackled

economy

• gradual replacement of capitalism by common ownership of the means of production

• supported cooperative movement

crosland

Human nature

• naturally oppose inequality importance of personal liberty

state

• existing systems can be used to create a socialist state

society

• social democracy would reduce social inequality through the welfare state and comprehensive education

economy

• a mixed economy, revisionist, criticised marx and argued nationalisation need not be the primary goal of socialists

giddens

Human nature

• social fairness is combined with self fulfilment

state

• gov power should be decentralised

• rejected state intervention

society

• socialost must work with the middle class not oppose them

• should focus on community

economy

• a neo-liberal economy to provide for welfare programs

Explain and analyse three ways that Socialist thinkers have viewed human nature

P1- fundamental socialists-

• MARX-

• Humans Are Naturally Cooperative and Altruistic-

• Capitalism distorts this natural cooperation by fostering competition and alienation-

• Marxists believe human nature is shaped by economic systems,

P2- social democrats

• Crosland

• human nature is malleable and influenced by economic and social conditions- I

• Crosland supported a mixed economy and a strong welfare state

• Webb’s belief in the "inevitability of gradualism" –

• human nature can be improved over time through state-led reform rather than revolution.

P3-third way socialists

• Giddens

• human nature balances self-interest with a desire for fairness and social cohesion-

• modern socialist society should allow for market-driven individual aspirations while ensuring a strong welfare system to promote equality-

• \hird Way thinkers believe human nature includes both individualism and collectivism

• Giddens advocated for a welfare state that empowers individuals rather than simply providing state control over resources

Explain and analyse three ways that Socialist thinkers have viewed society.

P1- marxism and revolutionary-

• engels and marx-

• economic structures determine social relations-

• Marxists believe capitalism creates alienation, exploitation, and inequality, leading to class struggle-

• bourgeosie and proletariat- -

• see capitalist societies as inherently oppressive and believe only a fundamental overthrow of the system can create a truly equal society

P2- social democracy and revisionist-

• crosland and bernstein-

• capitalism is not inherently evil but can be reformed to benefit society

• - democratic institutions, progressive taxation, and welfare policies can reduce inequality -

• Crosland (1956): In The Future of Socialism,

P3- third way-

• giddens and blair-

• Society Should Balance Individual Freedom and Social Justice -

• - Giddens (1998): Advocated for a “social investment state”-

• New Labour (1997-2010): Combined market-friendly policies (privatization, deregulation) with strong social policies (minimum wage-

Explain and analyse three ways that Socialist thinkers have viewed the economy.

P1- marxist view

• marx and engels-

• capitalism is an exploitative system -

• want complete abolition- establishment of a classless, communist economy -

• Soviet Union’s planned economy under Lenin and Stalin

• however faced inefficiency, lack of innovation, and authoritarianism

P2- democratic socialist view-

• webb and crosland-

• reject revolution but argue for extensive state intervention -

• mixed economy-

• capitalism can be tamed through regulation, progressive taxation, and welfare policies-

• post-war Labour government (1945-1951) in the UK, which nationalized industries (coal, railways, steel) and introduced the welfare state

P3- third way socialists

• giddens-

• Free Market with Social Justice Measures-

• advocate for a market-based economy with social investment in education, welfare, and infrastructure

• Tony Blair’s New Labour (1997-2010) – embraced privatization, reduced trade union power, and encouraged business growth while increasing public spending on health and education

Explain and analyse three ways that Socialist thinkers have viewed the state.

P1- marxist view-

• State as a Tool of Class Oppression (Eventually to be Abolished)-

• instrument of bourgeois oppression, designed to uphold capitalism-

• eventually "withering away"

• Bolshevik Revolution (1917) –

• led to an authoritarian regime- historical attempts (e.g., Soviet Union, Maoist China) failed to "wither away"

P2-democratic socialist view-

• webb and crosland-

• State as a Vehicle for Gradual Social and Economic Reform-

• state should intervene in the economy to regulate capitalism, provide social justice, and ensure collective welfare-

• post-war Labour government (1945-1951) – nationalized industries, created the NHS, and expanded the welfare state- approach avoids the extremes of revolution

P3- third way

• State as a Regulator and Enabler, Not a Direct Controller-

• \giddens and blair-

• accept the market economy but believe the state should empower individuals through education, welfare, and investmen-

• Blair’s New Labour (1997-2010) – shifted from traditional socialist policies, focusing on a "Third Way" between free-market capitalism and social justice

• approach modernizes socialism

Explain and analyse three ways that Socialist thinkers have viewed Marxism.

P1- revoutionary socialists

• endorse

• lenin and luxemburg-

• key to overthrowing capitalism through revolutionary class struggle-

• Lenin vanguard party, arguing that a small, elite group of revolutionaries must lead the proletariat in a revolution-

• Russian Revolution (1917) – Lenin and the Bolsheviks used Marxist theory to justify overthrowing the Tsar and capitalism

P2- democratic socialists-

• Partial Acceptance with a Focus on Reform-

• webb and crosland-

• accept Marx’s critique of capitalism but reject violent revolutionr

• gradual reforms through democracy and state intervention-

• Labour government (1945-1951) in the UK, which implemented Marxist-inspired policies - nationalizing industries and creating the NHS

P3-third way

• full rejected as outdated-

• giddens and blair-

• class struggle is no longer relevant in modern globalized economies -

• Blair’s New Labour (1997-2010) – moved away from traditional socialist policies, embracing privatization and business-friendly policies while maintaining public services

Explain and analyse three ways that the concept of class is significant to Socialist thinkers

P1- marxist view-

• Class as the Driver of History and Revolution-

• capitalism inherently exploits workers- revolution, overthrowing capitalism and establishing a classless, communist society-

• Russian Revolution (1917) – Lenin used Marxist theory to justify overthrowing the ruling class and establishing a socialist state- critics argue that Marx overestimated class conflict

P2- democratic socialist view-

• webb and crosland-

• Class as a Source of Inequality to Be Gradually Reformed-

• advocate for progressive taxation, nationalization, and welfare policies-

• post-war Labour government (1945-1951) – introduced the welfare state, NHS, and nationalization of key industries, reducing class inequalities

P3-third way socialist view-

• Class as Less Relevant in a Globalized Economy-

• giddens and blair-

• emphasize individual opportunity and social inclusion- policies should focus on empowering individuals through education, skills training, and investment -

• Blair’s New Labour (1997-2010) – introduced minimum wage and tax credits, aimed at reducing inequalities- view adapts socialism to modern economies, critics argue it ignores persistent class inequalities

Explain and analyse three ways that Socialist thinkers have viewed the fundamental goals of socialism

P1- Marxist View –

• The Abolition of Class and the Establishment of Communism-

• state controls production before it eventually "withers away."-

• rooted in the belief that capitalism exploits the working class- revolutionary means-

• Russian Revolution (1917) – Lenin aimed to establish a socialist state as a step towards communism- goal is radical and aims for total equality

P2-Democratic Socialist View –

• Gradual Reform to Achieve Greater Social and Economic Equality-

• webb and crosland-

• capitalism can be reformed through progressive taxation, nationalization of key industries, and welfare policies to create a more egalitarian society-

• post-war Labour government (1945-1951) in the UK, which introduced the NHS

P3-Third Way Socialist View –

• Balancing Social Justice with Economic Efficiency- g

• iddens and blair- g

• New Labour (1997-2010) – introduced minimum wage, tax credits, and investment in public services- critics argue it abandons core socialist principles

revolutionary socialists reject revisionism and dem soc

• luxembourg voiced opinion- diliute socialist beliefs- abandon class struggle- gradual; reform only reinforces structures - ‘reform or revolution’ - only revolution works

rejection of social democracy

• accomdates elements of capaitalism fails to address inherent exploitation

• doesnt challenges intrinsic problems

• need radical restructuring

• causes divisions within labour party- radical differences between foot ultra left gov and more centrist polcis

rejection of third way by socialists

• socialists reject the Third Way, arguing that it abandons core socialist principles.

• Embracing capitalism undermines the commitment to challenging capitalist class oppression, prioritizing workers' control, and economic equality.

• Promoting privatization and reducing state intervention dilutes efforts to redistribute wealth from the capitalist class to the working class.

• Focusing on equality of opportunity fails to address the inherent inequalities produced by capitalism.

Socialists believe that socialism entails fundamentally transforming the economic system, not just reforming capitalism.

revolutionary socialism case studies

Soviet Union

• The first socialist revolution occurred in 1917, led by Lenin and the Bolshevik party.

• Implemented socialist policies, including collectivization of agriculture and central planning of the economy.

• Stalin's First Five-Year Plan in 1928 pursued full-scale industrialization and collectivization.

• The state controlled nearly all aspects of political and economic life.

• The vision of a stateless, classless society remained elusive, with the Soviet state becoming increasingly authoritarian.

Communist China

• The Communist Revolution, led by Mao Zedong, culminated in 1949.

• Adapted Marxist-Leninist theory to China's agrarian context, focusing on the peasantry as a main revolutionary force.

• Implemented similar socialist policies to the Soviet Union:

  • The Agrarian Reform Law of 1950 abolished feudal land ownership and redistributed land.

  • Nationalization of industry and the First Five-Year Plan of 1953.

• The Great Leap Forward focused on developing agriculture and industry simultaneously through collectivization and workers' control.

• The Cultural Revolution sought to purge capitalist and traditional elements from Chinese society.

social democracy's emergence was driven by:

• The decline of traditional industrial industries.

• The belief that class under capitalism was no longer a binary oppression.

• The emergence of Keynesianism, which allowed capitalism to be managed.

Keynesianism: The belief that capitalism can be managed through fiscal and monetary policy to mitigate booms and busts, ensuring full employment.

Social Democracy in Practice: 1960s Britain

Under Harold Wilson's government in the 1960s, Britain embraced a mixed economy.

Policy	Description
Mixed Economy	State controlling key sectors (coal, railways, water), remainder of the economy capitalist
Keynesian Economics	Managing the economy to stimulate growth, manage unemployment, and maintain economic stability
High Income Tax Rate	Top rate of earned income was 83%, redistributing wealth through welfare state investments
Focus on Equal Opportunity	Comprehensive education, increased funding for higher education to make educational achievement accessible to all

third way in practice

• Embraced free-market capitalism, moving away from traditional socialist principles.

• Maintained a 40% top rate of income tax, a departure from the high taxation and wealth redistribution of social democracy (83% under social democracy).

• Comfortable with wealth accumulation.

• Advocated for privatization through Private Finance Initiatives (PFIs).

• Moved away from heavy market intervention and Keynesianism.

• Sought to promote equality of opportunity and fairness through education and the introduction of the national minimum wage.

• Reduced the role and influence of trade unions, signaling a move away from collectivism.

collectivism and revolutionary socialism

• Advocates for mass action, mass strike action, worker solidarity, and trade unionism to achieve socialism through revolution.

• Views historical examples like Russia and China as key implementations of collectivism, where agriculture and the economy were collectivized to guarantee a fairer distribution of resources.

collectivism and social democrats

• believe in pursuing collectivism within capitalism.

• Advocate for state intervention in the economy to redistribute wealth, provide comprehensive welfare services, and manage the economy to prevent mass unemployment.

• Support mixed economies and nationalization of key industries to be run in the interest of everyone, citing examples like post-World War II Britain's nationalization of coal, steel, railways, and healthcare.

• Strongly support trade unionism to empower workers and give them a collective voice.

collectivism and third way

• Rejects collectivism, focusing instead on individual opportunity and equality of opportunity.

• Places less emphasis on the state's role in managing the economy for the collective.

• Emphasizes empowering individuals within the market economy, based on the belief that people need support to compete in a globalized economy.

• This approach is evident in Blair's government, which reduced the role of trade unions, continued privatization, and didn't pursue nationalization.

Common Humanity in Different Strands of Socialism

	Revolutionary Socialism	Social Democrats	Third Way
View of Capitalism	Capitalism distorts and suppresses the natural positive tendencies of human nature, twisting it into competitive and selfish behaviors. It divides workers and communities, leading to false consciousness.	Recognizes challenges and inequalities but doesn't advocate for its complete abolition. Focuses on reforming and humanizing capitalism.	Doesn't view capitalism as a fundamental problem. Advocates for a balance where a market economy can coexist with social welfare and community.
Approach	Believes the capitalist system should be completely abolished in favor of a communist system of cooperation and communal living where the true positive nature of humans can flourish.	Focuses on mitigating negative aspects through managing capitalism, Keynesian economics, mixed economies, and extensive social welfare programs. Believes positive common humanity can be achieved within a capitalist framework.	Advocates for empowering people within the system to succeed under capitalism. Aims to cultivate a society where individual aspirations and communal well-being are not mutually exclusive.

revolutionary socialism and equality

• Advocates complete equality, including equal outcomes.

• Requires abolishing class, wealth, and power inequalities.

• Capitalism must be overthrown to achieve this.

• Promotes collective ownership of production.

• Aims for a classless, stateless communist society.

• Guiding principle: contribute by ability, receive by need.

social democrats and equality

• Reject absolute equality and the abolition of capitalism; instead, work within capitalism.

• Aim to promote equality of opportunity and some equality of outcome, not total equality.

• View absolute equality as unrealistic and prefer a balanced, practical approach.

• Support equal opportunities regardless of background (e.g., education, jobs).

• Anthony Crosland introduced comprehensive education to reduce educational inequality.

• Advocate for a strong welfare state and safety net to soften capitalism’s harsh effects.

• Use progressive taxation and redistributive policies to reduce inequality.

• Under Harold Wilson, top income tax reached 83%, showing the state's role in promoting fairness.

third way and equality

• Rejects equality of outcome, supporting only equality of opportunity.

• Moves further from revolutionary socialism and even social democracy.

• Blair and Clinton accepted wealth creation and income disparities as a reflection of talent and effort.

• Belief that as long as opportunities are equal, unequal outcomes are acceptable and desirable.

• Top income tax under Blair was 40%, much lower than in earlier social democratic policies.

• Emphasized education as the main tool for promoting opportunity and social mobility.

• Supported a reformed welfare state focused on support and mobility, not wealth redistribution.

• Embraced the market economy as effective and efficient; did not seek to overhaul capitalism.

revolutionary socialist view on social class

• Revolutionary socialists view social class in binary terms: proletariat (working class) vs bourgeoisie (capitalist class).

• Bourgeoisie is seen as oppressing the proletariat.

• The goal is to help the working class achieve class consciousness, where they recognize their shared interests and their opposition to the bourgeoisie.

• False consciousness occurs when the working class fails to recognize its exploitation under capitalism and may even support the system.

• Revolutionaries aim to overcome false consciousness, helping the working class realize their collective power and initiate a revolution to overthrow capitalism.

• Rosa Luxemburg emphasized the importance of trade unions and working-class organizations in fostering true class consciousness.

• Luxemburg believed trade union struggles and political activism would awaken workers to the exploitation they face under capitalism.

• Famous quote: "The proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains. They have a world to win. Working men of all countries, unite!"

Marx and Engels' Dialectic

• Marx and Engels’ historical materialism sees history as a series of class struggles between oppressor and oppressed.

• These class struggles are inevitable, driven by material (economic) conditions.

• The dialectic is the process where conflicting classes clash, leading to social change.

• A new, rising class challenges the dominant class, creating a new society.

Stages of Historical Development:

• Feudalism

  • Classes: landowners vs. serfs/slaves

  • Capitalism emerges as the bourgeoisie rises and overthrows feudal elites.

• Capitalism

  • Classes: bourgeoisie (owners) vs. proletariat (workers)

  • Proletariat is exploited, conditions worsen, leading to class consciousness.

  • Ends in a violent revolution where the proletariat overthrows capitalism and the state.

• Communism

  • Working class controls the state temporarily.

  • Eventually, the state withers away.

  • Leads to a classless, stateless society with collective ownership and equality.

Social Democratic View of Class

• Social democrats have a less binary view of class compared to revolutionary socialists.

• By the mid-20th century, society had evolved with new social classes (e.g., managerial and professional classes), reflecting modern capitalist complexity.

• Traditional class divisions (bourgeoisie vs. proletariat) became less relevant due to industrial changes.

• Anthony Crosland observed that many workers now enjoy middle-class living standards, blurring old class lines.

• Social democrats do not aim to abolish class, but to reduce inequality within capitalism.

• They promote equality of opportunity, especially through comprehensive education.

• Support redistribution of wealth via progressive taxation and welfare policies to create a fairer society.

third way on class

• The Third Way moves beyond the traditional binary view of class oppression.

• Focuses on individual empowerment and equality of opportunity, not class struggle.

• Seeks to transcend class divisions rather than abolish or emphasize them.

• Believes that in a globalized, modern society, old class-based politics are outdated.

• Anthony Giddens argued that gender, ethnicity, and age now play greater roles in social inequality than class.

• Emphasizes community, social cohesion, and personal responsibility.

• Social policies aim to boost skills, education, and employability to help individuals succeed.

• Represents a reimagined social democracy, balancing individual autonomy with a supportive, enabling state.

• Offers a middle ground between traditional social democracy and free-market capitalism.

revolutionary socialism on workers control

• Revolutionary socialism calls for the working class to overthrow capitalism and take control of the state and economy.

• The capitalist state must be dismantled and replaced by a collectively controlled system.

• Resources are shared equally based on need.

• Lenin’s vanguard: a small, advanced group leads the revolution.

• Rosa Luxemburg: revolution must come from mass working-class action like strikes and unions.

• Revolution is about workers’ control and creating a classless society.

Evolutionary or Democratic Socialism on workers control

• Evolutionary (democratic) socialism supports achieving socialism gradually through democratic, parliamentary means, not revolution.

• Believes the state can be expanded and used to transition to socialism, rather than being inherently capitalist.

• Beatrice Webb championed this view after WWI, with a larger working-class electorate.

• Webb argued for the inevitability of gradual socialism through democratic progress.

• She admired the Soviet model of complete state economic control.

• Emphasized the need for skilled technocrats to manage the economy, not necessarily from the working class.

• Focused on absolute equality and collectivism through expert economic management.

social democrats on workers control

• Social Democrats align with evolutionary socialism but do not support complete workers' control like revolutionary socialists.

• They advocate for workers’ control in key industries (utilities, transport, healthcare) through nationalization/common ownership.

• These industries are seen as vital for public welfare and should serve the working class, not profit.

• Support a mixed economy: combine nationalized key sectors with capitalism in the rest of the economy.

• Anthony Crosland believed capitalism could be managed to reduce inequalities and promote social justice without overthrow.

• Do not support workers’ control of individual factories outside nationalized industries.

• Emphasize trade unionism and collective bargaining to empower workers within capitalism.

• Aim to improve wages, conditions, and job security through worker representation rather than full economic control

third way on workers control

• he Third Way rejects workers' control entirely.

• Moves away from collective action and trade union influence in favor of individual responsibility.

• Strongly supports free market capitalism with no state control over the economy.

• Under New Labour (Blair), trade union power within the party was reduced.

• Opposes nationalization; instead, favors privatization of industries.

• Believes privatization is more effective for market responsiveness and serving societal interests.

• Like social democrats, the Third Way supports evolutionary socialism, rejecting revolution.