To what extent do Marxists and Social Democrats agree?

three agreements

1. capitalism is damaging
2. capitalism must be reduced
3. support for state intervention/nationalisation

three disagreements

1. extent of reform of capitalism
2. method of reform
3. extent of nationalisation

P1 - why is capitalism damaging?

human nature is ‘plastic’ so negatively affected by capitalism

promotes competition over cooperation - reduced community

must be at minimum reformed to allow for socialism

P1 - capitalism is damaging - thinker

Giddens - capitalism is ‘corrosive’

Marx/Engels - capitalism instills a ‘false consciousness’

P2 - Marxist view on extent of reform?

abolition of capitalism is the only thing that will allow for socialism

private property is unjust

capitalism creates class divide between proletariat and bourgeoisie

P2 - Marxist view on extent of reform - thinker

Marx/Engels - capitalism is a ‘system of naked oppression’

Lenin - removal of private property following the Russian Revolution

P2 - SD view on extent of reform?

capitalism should be ‘harnessed’ to reliably generate the wealth needed to fund socialism

morally ineffective at distributing wealth so state should redistribute through taxation and welfare

support for Keynesian economics - some justify inequality

P2 - SD view on extent of reform - thinker?

Crosland - there is a ‘definite limit’ to equality

P3 - why must capitalism be reduced?

creates a class division and inequality which prevents community/cooperation

capitalism gives a financial reward, socialism gives a moral reward - more satisfying, prevents greed

encourage positive traits and ‘common humanity’

P3 - must reduce capitalism - thinker

Kropokin - the human race thrives on ‘mutual aid’

P4 - Marxist view on method of change?

immediate ‘class conscious revolution’ of the proletariat

only possible method of change as the proletariat are unenfranchised

P4 - Marxist view on method of change - thinker

Marx/Engels - capitalism is ‘naturally exploitative and toxic’

P4 - SD view on method of change?

democratic gradualism through voting for a socialist party

developed when there was universal franchise so no need for revolution

human’s flexible nature would be damaged by the violence of revolution

P4 - SD view on method of change - thinker

Webb - gradualism is ‘inevitable’

P5 - why is the state necessary?

private property is seen as unjust as more than one person creates it so a support for collectivism = support for nationalisation

private property causes greed and conflict which negatively impacts human nature

P5 - necessity of the state - thinker

Marx/Engels - ‘from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs’

P6 - Marxist view of nationalisation?

capitalism is fully removed and private property abolished so all industries are nationalised

promotes social harmony, reduces selfishness, greed

P6 - Marxist view of nationalisation - thinker

Marx/Engels - ‘dictatorship of the proletariat’

P6 - SD view of nationalisation?

combination of private and public ownership - mixed economy

state manipulates supply and demand to increase equality

support for Keynesianism

P6 - SD view of nationalisation - thinker

Attlee’s creation of the NHS, nationalisation of private railway companies