Political ideas - socialism, socialism - key thinkers and themes

strands of socialism

Revolutionary socialism
Social democracy
Third way

main beliefs of socialism

- distribution of material goods based on need not greed
- collectivism is morally superior and economically more successful than individual action
- statism to ensure fairness and equality
- change from negative effects of capitalism
- class eradication
- optimism in human nature

historical materialism

a theory developed by Karl Marx, identifies class conflict as the primary cause of social change. slave societies - master/slave, feudal society - landowner/peasant, capitalist society - bourgeoisie/proletariat

fundamental goals

the socialist revolution must overthrow the state, society and the existing economic system based on private property
dictatorship of the proletariat will be a short term strategy to collectivise all property into common ownership for the good of all
- common ownership would lead to the end of class and class conflict
- the state would wither away as society transforms from socialism to communism

class analysis

contradictions between the classes, created by the means of production, are essential in understanding the world
- under capitalism, the working classes are alienated from their labour as they work to produce commodities which are owned by the capitalists and sold for profit, rather than producing what is needed and useful
- the desire for profit drives down wages and living standards for the workers while increasing the accumulation of wealth in the hands of the few - making capitalism increasingly unstable
--- this leads to class consciousness

nature of socialism

revolutionary or evolutionary

revolutionary socialism

socialism will come about through a class-based revolution where the many seize control of the state and must be prepared to use force to defeat a violent counter-revolution by the few
dictatorship of the proletariat is a democracy of the masses - abolition of private ownership of the means of production and class

evolutionary/reformist socialism

parliamentary road to socialism, democratic socialist Beatrice Webb believes in the 'inevitability of gradualism'
- universal suffrage enables the working class would would vote together in their class interest for socialist parties would provide education and gradual reform to a socialist state

to what extent is socialism compatible with capitalism? Marxism

- marxism is entirely hostile to capitalism
- marx, engels and luxemburg argue that private property and the market must be abolished and replaced with common ownership and cooperation

to what extent is socialism compatible with capitalism? revisionist socialists

- argue that capitalism should be harnessed and humanised to achieve socialist ends
- social democrats like crosland believe that progressive taxation, high levels of spending on public services and universal welfare could be used to fairly distribute rewards, status and privileges to minimise social resentment between classes, to create equal opportunities for all and secure social justice
- third way advocates, like Giddens, argue that increased tax revenue produced by the free market could be invested in infrastructure and public services to create equality of opportunity

revisionist socialism

A form of socialism that has revised its critique of capitalism and seeks to reconcile greater social justice with surviving capitalist forms.

social democracy

mixed economy of public ownership of key industries and services and most other industries under private ownership
- postwar consensus/labour gov
- social justice - welfare state and social equality through progressive taxation and redistribution of wealth to rectify inequalities produced by the free market
- keynesian economics

third way

Labour party under Blair and Anthony Giddens - clause IV reform
- accept the free market of neo-liberalism and aims to balance this with social democracy's commitment to community and equality of opportunity
- emphasis on community to diminish class divisions and inequality
- education is key to create a skilled and knowledgeable workforce that can compete in the modern, globalised economy, driving economic growth and allowing the individual to realise their full potential

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels - human nature

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

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels - the state

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

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels - society

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

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels - the economy

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

rosa luxemburg - 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.

rosa luxemburg - the state

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

rosa luxemburg - society

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

rosa luxemburg - the economy

capitalism is more resilient than marx allowed
its necessary destruction, and replacement by an economy based on workers control, will require determination and solidarity among the proletariat

beatrice webb - human nature

the damage inflicted by capitalism upon the human psyche will be compounded only by violent revolution
humanity needs to be guided back, gradually, to its original, cooperative condition

beatrice webb - the state

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

beatrice webb - society

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

beatrice webb - the economy

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

anthony crosland - human nature

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

anthony crosland - the state

democratic socialist governments (labour 1945-51) prove that the existing state can be used to effect radical socialist change

anthony crosland - society

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

anthony crosland - the economy

A mixed economy, underpinned by limited public ownership and Keynesian capitalism, will finance the greater public spending necessary to secure equality.

anthony giddens - human nature

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

anthony giddens - the state

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

anthony giddens - society

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

anthony giddens - 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.