Socialist thinkers views

Karl Marx (revolutionary socialist) view on human nature

He rejected that human nature is not fixed but is adapted by society but is fundamentally co-operative rather than selfish. He aspired for an altruistic and fraternal society. Human nature has been corrupted by capitalism, putting people against each other and fuelling greed.
Humans want violent revolution

Rosa Luxembourg’s (revolutionary socialist) views on human nature

Humans are naturally altruistic and fraternal and though capitalism has heavily damaged this, there is still solidarity among the working class.
Humans want revolution but it must be through strike action

Beatrice Webb (Democratic socialist) views on human nature

Human nature is naturally co-operative and could be altruistic and rational. They possess a strong sense of public service which a socialist state would give them. Humans have been misguided but can make their way back through state led peaceful socialist reforms.

Anthony Crosland (Revisionist) views on human nature

Humans are naturally co-operative and prefer fairness and equality but capitalism has forced them to be cut-throat. Human nature can be led back to being a bit fairer through the state managing capitalism.

Anthony Giddens (Third way / Neo-revisionist) view on human nature

Human nature isn’t as collectivist (functioning as a group) as other socialist thinkers say but rather humans want some sort of individualism to succeed and make money by themselves but humans also want to live in a fair society. Therefore a state should reflect people going for what they want but still to live in a fair society so for example progressive taxation to fund education.

Karl Marx view on The State

The state is completely corrupt and serves only the rich by exploiting the working class. It cannot be reformed so it must be overthrown by the violent proletariat revolution where there will be briefly a dictatorship of the proletariat to oversee the switching to communism, then the state must wither away.

Rosa Luxembourg’s view on The State

Agreed with Marx that the state was run by the rich and exploited the poor. There must be a revolution BUT through strike action (though doesn’t rule out violence). The proletariat will then rule but it will be a democracy

Beatrice Webbs view on The State

The existing state could be reformed rather than making a revolution. She believed if the people wanted it they would vote for it. Once elected, the socialists can gradually expand control, controlling sectors and eliminating poverty.

Anthony Croslands view on The State

The state doesn’t need to own industry and especially not a revolution. The state just use Keynesian economics to temper capitalism and fund a massive welfare system.

The state should be here to support people.

Anthony Giddens view on The State

The State should give practical help to people like education but not benefits because this puts people in the trap of doing nothing.

Karl Marx view on Society

Society is turned against each other due to the greediness of capitalism so we must destroy capitalism so we can all share wealth as a society. This would make society fraternal and altruistic. Wanted a classless and no private property state

Rosa Luxemburg view on Society

Capitalist society is fundamentally broken and illogical but there is an alternative more altruistic and fraternal society in the working class solidarity already which she wants to expand into an entire society of democratic and co-operative citizens.

Beatrice Webb view on Society

Society has been poisoned by its divisions. Society could be systematically repaired through expert planning and legislative changes leading over time leading to a less capitalist society and to a society where all contribute for the common good. She saw society as an organic interconnected organism.

Anthony Crosland view on Society

Class barriers have softened from the time of Karl Marx so not as much class warfare. The state should try and make all of society equal because instead of people gaining power due to being born there, he wanted a meritocratic society.

Anthony Giddens view on Society.

Critiqued old school socialism for not countering in that people want individual ambition and not JUST to work for the common benefit or state. So each person should go for what they want but these rights are tied to responsibilities for example look out for the community and give back to society.

Karl Marx view on The Economy

Capitalism was evil and led people to turn people against each other for money. It must be destroyed and replaced with an economy led by the people where all people work for the common good and working for a wage is abolished but rather you are given what you need.

Rosa Luxemburgs view on The Economy

Believed also that capitalism was evil and turned people against each other. The factories should be collectively owned by the workers and run by worker councils which prevents dictatorship from the top.

Beatrice Webb view on The Economy

Unregulated capitalism will lead to poverty. Rather the government should nationalise industries to ensure a guaranteed standard of living.

Anthony Crosland view on the Economy

We can work with capitalism to get lots of money to fund a welfare system ensuring people have the same opportunities.

Anthony Giddens view on The Economy

Free market capitalism is the best way to generate wealth and this wealth can be used to help the people through practical help like state funded education.