Socialism Thinkers

‘The Communist Manifesto’

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels key work -1848, advocating for class struggle and proletarian revolution

‘Das Kapital’

Karl Marx key work - 1867, analysing capitalism and its economic theories.

Class Consciousness

Awareness of one's social class and its interests; concept emphasized by Marx and Engels.

Proletarian Revolution

The revolutionary movement for the working class to overthrow bourgeoisie and establish a classless society.

Bourgeoisie

The capitalist class that owns the means of production and is associated with capitalist societies.

False Consciousness

Marx term to describe the working class holding beliefs that are against their best interests.

‘Reform or Revolution’

Rosa Luxemburg key work -1900, discussing need for revolutionary change rather than gradual reforms.

State Welfare

Beatrice Webb concept - government initiatives to provide for the basic needs of citizens

Public Ownership

The ownership of resources and enterprises by the government or the public, favoured by Beatrice Webb.

Laissez-faire Capitalism

Economic system where transactions between private parties are free from government intervention - opposed by Beatrice Webb

Luxemburg opposed

Militarism and reformist socialism

‘The Minority Report’

Beatrice Webb key work - 1909, advocated for state welfare and social reform

‘The Future of Socialism’

Anthony Crosland key work - 1956, argued that socialism should move away from nationalisation and focus on social justice, equality, and welfare

Keynesian economics

The government can stabilize the economy by increasing demand, favoured by Anthony Crossland

Anthony Crossland favoured

comprehensive schools, social equality, mixed economy

‘Beyond Left and Right’

Anthony Giddens first work - 1994, ‘corrosive’ effects of capitalism and individualism upon community and fraternity

‘The Third Way: the Renewal of Social Democracy’

Anthony Giddens second work - 1997, argued that survival of social democracy required recognition that free-market capitalism had capacity to empower individuals

The Third Way

Giddens, blends free-market economics with progressive social policies - seen in Blair gov

Giddens favours

Social democracy, a remixed economy, cultural diversity