Socialism and HN essay

P1 consensus point

• Revolutionary socialists, social democrats, and Third Way socialists

share a positive and optimistic view of HN, believing it to be

malleable and shaped by experiences and circumstances.

• All agree that unrestrained and unregulated capitalism

indoctrinates humans, becoming selfish, competitive and greedy.

P1 consensus

• Revolutionary Socialists believe that HN is fundamentally

cooperative and altruistic, but it has been corrupted by capitalism.

• Marx argued humans are naturally social beings who thrive in

cooperative environments.

• Capitalism alienates individuals from

their true nature by promoting competition and exploitation. He

envisioned a classless society where individuals could freely

cooperate and fulfil their potential.

• Luxemburg shared Marx's view, argued that capitalism suppresses

natural tendency for cooperation, but a socialist revolution could

restore it. True HN could only be realised in a socialist society.

• Social Dems – like Crosland argue HN has a powerful sense of

fairness and innate objection to inequalities of outcome caused by

capitalism. Anthony Crosland: Crosland argued that HN is not fixed

and can be shaped by social and economic conditions

• . Managed capitalism could deliver social justice and equality. The state in creating conditions that foster cooperation and reduce inequality.

• Webb believed in the "inevitability of gradualness," democratic

means. She saw HN as cooperative and capable of improvement

through education and social reform

To limited extent TW agree about an optimistic view

Third Way - Anthony Giddens holds an optimistic view of human

nature but emphasises Communitarianism – which stresses the

importance of social responsibility, where individuals contribute to

the well-being of their community. This contrasts with the more

individualistic focus of neoliberalism

Revolutionary socialists and social democrats share the strongest

similarities in their views on human nature:

Both strands believe that HN is naturally cooperative rather than

competitive. They argue that capitalism distorts this natural

tendency and that socialism can restore it.

• They agree that HN is shaped by experiences and circumstances.

Both Marx and Webb believed that only socialist society could create

conditions that allow individuals to realise their potential.

• Both strands are optimistic about human potential and believe that

social and economic reforms can create a more just and equitable

society.

P1 Tension point

Revolutionary and evolutionary socialists have different perspectives on the impact and harm a revolution might have on human nature.

P1 tension

• Revolutionary socialists are relaxed about the impact of a revolution on HN necessary to create socialism.

• Marx was optimistic about the ability of the working class to bring about its own salvation and that the revolutionary process would awaken the inherent solidarity and cooperation within the working class.

• Whereas… Evolutionary soc – like SDs argued that violent revolution would only further harm human nature, leading to chaos and inefficiency Webb famously stated, "Revolutions are chaotic, inefficient and counter-productive"

• "the inevitability of gradualness," where socialism would be achieved through democratic means and the expansion of a well-organized state could guide society towards socialism without the need for violent upheaval.

• Tension between fundamentalists and revisionists

• Revisionists reject Fundamentalist need to abolish capitalism in order to protect and revive human nature

• SD and TW argue it is too simplistic to blame capitalism for problems in HN --- Crosland – “Marx has little to offer the contemporary socialist”

• Further tension from TW which argue that capitalism actually unlocks other positive features of HN – innovation, aspiration, productivity. Capitalism can be reformed and harnessed

P2 consensus point

All accept concept of common humanity

individuals seen as inherently connected to and defined by their social groups

P2 consensus

• Common humanity is a belief that humans are social creatures who wished to cooperate rather than compete with each other.

• Cooperation leads to mutual support and understanding, a shared or ‘common’ humanity.

• There is significant consensus between all branches of socialism the people are naturally inclined to work together, in cooperation, to produce the best results for society as a whole.

• Underpinning common humanity, is a belief in fraternity and community. Socialists find pleasure and fulfilment in work that focuses on cooperation and collectivism rather than individualism and competition.

• SDs – Crosland - social welfare policies, could create a more just and equitable society. He emphasized the role of the state in fostering a sense of common humanity and social responsibility.

• TW – expressed common humanity through ideas connected to 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.

P2 tension point

Revolutionary SoC. humans are motivated more by moral incentives vs TW argues material incentives have significant impact

P2 tension

• Revolutionary optimism that human nature can rid itself of materialistic incentives is based on the idea that HN was deformed by capitalism and would be liberated after the revolution. The emerging communist society would be based on a transformed human consciousness , a communal society based on collectivism and common ownership, goods held in common and available to all.

• In response the Third Way rejects this as hopelessly idealistic (reference to failed attempts in Russia and China)

• Furthermore, TW also opposes state socialism under social democracy through equality of welfare. TW argue this is harmful to HN - Giddens argues it leads to a dependency culture with over-reliance on others and the state, inhibiting ambition.

• 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”

• Giddens, “Human nature is fair-minded, but with a sharpened sense of individual aspiration”

• Tension within Revolutionary strand (L5) Marx believes people are deformed by capitalism, prevented from reaching their true potential. Capitalism was so damaging to HN that only a revolution would restore common humanity.

• However, Rosa Luxemburg said common humanity survived in working class communities within a capitalist society.

• Luxemburg lacked the confidence of Marx who believed that communism would unlock perfect human consciousness. She argued that the potential for human corruption remained unless there were checks placed on power. - credited with anticipating the communist dictatorships in Russian China after revolutions