improved socialism essay plans

human nature

1d) fundamentalist socialists believe it is capitalism that has corrupted human nature but other strands are not as pessimistic

2a) all strands take a more positive view on human nature as based upon cooperation, fraternity and comradeship

3a) all strands believe that human nature is malleable and is shaped by the social environment surrounding them

the state

1a) the state is vital to the promotion of core socialist values

2d) disagree on if the state should be overthrown via revolution or evolution

3d) Third was is much more sceptical of the state’s abilities than social democrats or fundamentalist socialists (e.g. level of intervention in the economy)

society

1a) society shaped human nature, so if society is improved then improvements to human nature will follow

2d) disagree in if society should improve gradually or via a revolution

3d) disagree on the importance of social class within society

the economy

1a) all agree that capitalism creates inequalities and that if left unaddressed will have a devastating effect

2d) Third Way and social democrats criticise revolutionary socialists failure to recognise the durability of capitalism and that it may be compatible with socialism

3d) Third Way and social democrats disagree on the use of Keynesian economics

collectivism

1a) all agree that human nature is naturally cooperative, fraternal and favours comradeship so collectivism allows society to function more effectively

2d) where fundamentalist socialists believe in total collectivism, the Third Way recognise a new individuality has arisen due to globalisation of capitalism

3d) disagree over collectivism in the economy

common humanity

1a) agree that human nature is naturally cooperative and fraternal so common humanity persists in society

2d) disagree on the extent to which capitalism tarnishes common humanity

3d) Third Way disagrees with other strands on how a new individualism rises in society due to the impact of globalisation and capitalism

equality

1a) agree that equality is an end goal in society for all strands of socialism

2d) fundamentalist socialists believe equality can be reached through equality of outcome in a previous generation where the Third Way believe privatisation can fund a social inclusion state

3d) disagree over different forms of equality as Third Way socialists are not committed to equality of outcome

social class

1a) all socialists agree that classes have formed as a result of the inequalities stemming from capitalism and that these classes exploit one another

2d) while revisionist socialists believe class is the most important division within society, other strands see it becomes less relevant

3d) disagree on if class barriers should be broken down via a revolution or through evolution

workers control

1a) all socialist agree that workers should have more control in the economy and should be freed from exploitation

2d) while revisionist socialists believe in complete workers control, other strands favour partial or minimal control

3d) the Third Way disagree that nationalism and a welfare state should be used in the economy arguing instead for free market capitalism to fund social justice

united or divided

1a) all strands of socialism agree that humans are naturally cooperative and fraternal and therefore common humanity persists within society

2d) social democrats and Third Way socialists criticise revolutionary socialists for not recognising the durability of capitalism and it’s compatibility with socialism

3d) revolutionary socialists disagree with evolutionary socialists over if the state should be improved via a revolution or a series of evolutionary steps