Socialism and the state essay

P1 consensus point

Evolutionary socialists (SD and TW) agree that pathway to

socialism must be through a democratic process, via the

state – and not a revolution

and that the state should be

democratically accountable – based on the principle of

universal suffrage – (political equality)

P1 consensus

• Webb believed that socialism would evolve peacefully

through political action and education.

• The inevitability of gradualness is a belief that democracy

will naturally lead to an socialist society. Democracy will

work in the interests of the working class majority.

• The working class will vote for socialist parties, which will

begin to make economic political and social reforms.

The expansion of the state is vital to deliver socialism.

(Statism)

• The state’s role is to enhance and protect rights and social

equality

SDs (1960s) – Abortion Act, Race Relations Act,

Decriminalisation of homosexuality etc

TW (1990-2010) – Human Rights Act

• SDs – Crosland - emphasized the role of the state in fostering

a sense of common humanity and social responsibility.

• TW – accept the states role in the creation of a more

inclusive society – based on individual rights. This

manifested itself through the HRA 1998 and Equalities Act –

challenging discrimination based on race and sexuality.

P1 tension point

Revolutionary oppose evolutionary processes, accept the state’s existence only as a temporary measure

P1 tension

• Marxists regard the state as a tool of bourgeoisie oppression over the proletariat. Its structure reinforces inequality and individualism of capitalism. The state (like capitalism) cannot be reformed – only a revolution will suffice.

• Capitalism is too exploitative, and too resilient to be reformed gradually; Marxists reject democracy as a “democratic swindle”, because the state is merely an extension of capitalist oppression

• . Marx and Engels argued that the state used religion, patriotism, parliament and social reforms to weaken class consciousness within society.

• Religion was, “the opiate of the masses” – another form of control over the proletariat.

• A transition, involving worker’s control will emerge temporarily, before withering away leaving a stateless communist society, based on common ownership.

• TENSION WITHIN REVOLUTIONARY SOCIALISM

• Although Luxemburg accepts the need for removing capitalist (fundamentalist), and the need for a revolution, she argues that democracy should remain and a new socialist state should be created.

P2 Consensus point

Consensus between SD and TW that the state should be able to provide a minimum standard living / safety net for all citizens:

P2 Consensus

• SD - "cradle to grave" welfare refers to a comprehensive system of social security and public services designed to support individuals throughout their entire lives. This approach aims to ensure that all citizens have access to essential services and protections, regardless of their economic status.

• Attlee, 1945-51, established the modern welfare state, based on Beveridge Report, identified five "giants" to be tackled: Want, Disease, Ignorance, Squalor, and Idleness

• Beatrice Webb’s Minority Report of the Poor Law Commission (1909) argued for a national minimum of civilised life.

• These ideas appeared in the Beveridge’s Report (1942) who was employed as a researcher on Webb’s Minority Report [

• National Health Service (NHS): providing free healthcare to all citizens at the point of use.-

• Unemployment benefits, pensions, and family allowances, ensuring financial support from birth to old age

• Also focused on improving education and housing, with the Education Act 1944 providing free secondary education and extensive public housing projects.

• Third Way also recognise the importance of state providing a safety net for society

• TW – welfare to work schemes / in work benefits / tax credits

• Third Way prioritise education policy with loan schemes to encourage more young people to go to university –

• TW - state to offer opportunities for the individual, by education and training, so that they might escape state dependency and poverty. “Welfare - a hand-up not hand-out”

P2 tension point

Tension between SDs and TW over the level of state control and intervention in the economy.

P2 Tension

• SDs argued for a mixed economy rather than full public ownership (promoting Keynesianism) aiming to maintain full employment with an expansion of the welfare state leading to equality of welfare (Crosland)

• SDs wished to redistribute wealth, resources and opportunities via public ownership (Clause IV) and extensive public services which are financed by progressive taxation

• However, TW thinker Giddens argued against unlimited progressive taxation (which reached as high as 83% for high earners in 1974) – it prevented economic growth and wealth creation. His ideas influenced New Labour which reduced business rates and kept top rate at 40%, until the financial crisis 2010 where it reached 50%

• Giddens argued that Keynesianism must be abandoned, and privatisation be accepted as a more efficient system. (PFIs)

• Giddens was less optimistic about an overly generous welfare state (dependency culture), instead arguing for regulation to curb excesses of capitalism such as minimum wage, abolition of zero-hours contracts, equal pay, better standard of maternity benefits etc

• Tension between fundamentalists (Rev soc and early evolutionary socialist like Webb) and Revisionist

• Fundamentalists want to completely abolish capitalism and in the case of Webb believe in a completely state managed economy with cooperative federalism and worker-owned businesses

• Revisionists see the state’s role to ensure capitalism remains a key part of the economy.