Revolutionary Socialism

What are the 3 main strands of socialism?

Revolutionary

Social Democratic

Third Way

How do revolutionary socialists believe socialism must be brought about?

Overthrow of the existing political and societal structures.

What do revolutionary socialists believe human nature is?

Inherently good, collectivist, sociable, gregarious

What do revolutionary socialists believe can shape human nature?

Systems and circumstances we are born in causing us to deviate from human nature.

What do revolutionary socialists believe about the changeability of human nature?

As it is inherent, we can be re-educated or saved from corruption.

What do revolutionary socialists believe about capitalism?

Inherently exploitative and cannot be modified into an acceptable form.

What do revolutionary socialists believe about changing capitalism?

Capitalism must be torn up by the roots in a revolution.

Why do revolutionary socialists believe that capitalism should be torn up by the roots?

An reforms within capitalism are liable to be overturned.

What do revolutionary socialists believe causes collectivism?

Human inclination to work together to a common goal.

How do revolutionary socialists believe collectivism can be achieved?

developing class consciousness and a revolution which seizes the means of production.

Why do revolutionary socialists believe that collectivism is important?

More can be gained working together than alone

Who do revolutionary socialists believe should be in control of the means of production?

Proletariat class

How do revolutionary socialists believe the dictatorship of the proletariat will be achieved?

Spontaneously

What type of equality do revolutionary socialists believe in?

Equality of Opportunity

What is the only measure that revolutionary socialists believe that outcomes should be based on?

Labour-time

Do revolutionary socialists believe in the equality of opportunity and rights?

Yes but equality of outcome goes beyond this

What do revolutionary socialists believe the role of the state is?

Entrenching Socialism

How do revolutionary socialists believe the state should entrench socialism?

Eliminate bourgeoise thought through re-education
Ensure equal access to the means of production

What is the Hegelian Dialectic?

Thesis
Anti-thesis
Synthesis
Repeat

Matierialism

Explaining and understanding the world through tangible evidence e.g economic relations.

Which key thinkers pioneered dialectic materialism?

Marx and Engels

Dialectic Materialism

Explains how material conditions have changed over time rather than ideas.

Modes of production?

Economic system centred around a means of production

Means of production

What generates value in economic systems.

How do Marx and Engels define the class system?

Relationship to means of production

What did Marx and Engels admire about capitalism?

Wealth creation

Where did Marx and Engels place capitalism's level of exploitation in comparison to previous economic systems?

Most exploitative

Capital

Technology

Why did Marx and Engels believe capitalism was the most exploitative system?

Capital could indefinitely be improved
The same amount of Labour applied would lead to improved generation of value.

Why did Marx and Engels see increasing the generation of value as exploitative?

Wages would not correspondingly increase

What did Marx and Engels believe about the inequality generated by capitalism?

Continue to grow over time.