Socialism: Comparing strands

revolutionary socialism

1. marxist

2. revisionist

social democracy

1. evolutionary

2. mixed economy

most extreme

revolutionary socialism

not really socialists at all

third way

the 4 factors

1. state

2. economy

3. human nature

4. society

state: agree

• state can play role in achieving social justice

• opposed use of state solely for capitalist interests

state: disagree

• Revolutionary socialists say state must be overthrown and communism is the end goal

• Social democrats use evolutionary means by democracy and technocratic state to implement socialism

technocratic state

A form of governance associated with implementing policies through rational and scientific methods rather than political ideologies

economy: agree

• all reject laissez-faire capitalism

• support regulation to reduce inequality

economy: disagree

• Revolutionary: a common ownership and abolish capitalism

• Social democracy: a mixed economy with key industries nationalised

• Third way accept capitalism, focused on meritocracy and reject common ownership

mixed economy

• private and public enterprise

• key industries are often nationalized while allowing for market-driven practices

human nature: agree

believe in common humanity where people are capable of co-operation and fraternity

human nature: disagree

• Revolutionary: capitalism corrupts human nature but is malleable

• Social democracy: optimistic, humans are inherently sociable

• Third way: humans are individualistic but seek community

individualism

the principle of valuing individual rights and personal independence over collective control

society: agree

society should be based on equality and collectivism

society: disagree

• Revolutionary seeks a classless society through revolution

• Social democracy aim for egalitarian society and reduce class gap

• Third way doesn’t believe class conflict is central to modern society but inclusion and opportunity