TWE do socialists agree on human nature

T1 – Capitalism corrupted Human nature (A)
Revolutionary Socialism =

Capitalism inherently corrupts out positive, fraternal human nature.
Marx TCM says capitalism made humans greedy, individualistic. Workers alienated from ‘fruits of their labour’, “The ruling class instil false consciousness on the proletariat”. Workers do not realise extent of exploitation. Ruling class overthrown via revolution, leads to dictatorship of proletariat (return to pre-industrial HN)

Social Democracy =

Similar principle, different resolution.
Webb suggested capitalism inequality suppresses human potential, leads to competition (selfishness, poverty). Equal of outcome needed to remove its corrupting effect. Webb theory ‘inevitability of gradualism’ says socialist govs slowly phase out capitalism until state owns means of production. Workers realise nationalisation benefits HN, gives reason to keep electing socialists until negative forces of capitalism almost completely removed.

Extent =

V. sig as coherent on capitalism being main proponent of human suffering through incompatibility with HN, removed to reshape society, reform HN to original state.

T2 – The effect of sate ownership affects human nature (DA)
Social Democracy =

Some aspects of nationalisation can benifit human nature.

Crosland argues that some core industries need to be nationalised. By nationalising specifically education, helps lessen class differences and thus allow human tendency to desire consensus to flourish.

By implementing keyensian economy, help contribute to welfare state that still has some privatised industries (mixed economy) that prevents extreme social / economic inequality (inherently disturbing to human nature).

Third Way =

HN worsened by complete any form of state ownership.

Giddens says state should be less involved in economy little nationalisation, favouring free markets (neoliberal economy).

Said this would benefit HN as tax + revenue could be spent on public services, further equal of opp, social justice & welfare to underclass.

Common ownership incompatible with globalised world, worsens economy overall and creates dependency culture, hinders “sharpened sense of individual aspiration” inherent to human nature as it inspires complacency.

Extent =

Not very sig disagreement, as while SD more in favour of nationalisation, both strands still believe specifically universal nationalisation does not benifit human nature. Crosland says that alienation of the fruits of labour occurs with both total privatisation (exploitation) and total nationalisation (equal outcome regardless of labour quality).

CCLN =

Agree large extent. All agree capitalism can change its originally fraternal state. Therefore, reform of the state and economy, in some capacity, is needed to benefit human nature and in doing so, society also.