pols notes
Lecture 2 Sept. 8th 2026
social media allows for politics to gain traction/popularity amongst the masses
right wing politicians in alberta (separatists) gaining social media support and financing from populist american groups
politics is loaded term– tricky to define
politics is not just fully within governments, but everywhere around us, though it does influence government systems
Who is the government? Why do they hold power?
extends beyond legislature
politics as a feedback loop
Politics extends to everyday life– relationships, public spaces, government, etc.
government is not exclusive to politics
other times government is fully exclusive to politics (authoritarian government)
division is a major aspect to some politics (social media in the united states especially)
dismissing governments as corrupt allows for more corruption to grow
division helps making sense of politics as an arena: public sphere and the private sphere
public: public spaces: churches, legislature, businesses
private: home life, distinctly separate
feminists critique these sectors: public space where men flourish and succeed & the private sector where women are delegated to the home
feminists argue that abortion laws (managed from the public space) directly impact and affect the private sector and specifically women
politics is about conflict resolution in democratic systems– ex; the court system, arbitrating, etc
some argue that the essence of politics is power– a way in which one satisfies and serves their interests over time
power– historically military powers have allowed certain politics to spread and flourish
in democratic society power is present– law enforcement; the military and police
soft power: involves the ability to attract and influence someone to do something they wouldn’t otherwise do with the use of incentives
power is much more than the use of brute force/threat of violence
two definitions of politics:
area definitions; politics is what happens in certain places: the art of government & public affairs / compromise and consensus & the distribution of resources
process definitions: politics is an aspect of human behaviour:
Sept. 10th 2026
majoritism is a tool used in democratic systems
ballot questions in us have to garner a certain amount of signatures to end up on november voter ballot: ie- legalization of marijauna
referendums leave power in the hands of citizens, which can have positive or negative effects on society: ie– Florida removing legislation that prohibits felons from voting
some argue that citizens should not be allowed to make decisions and it should be left to elected officials and city council people
sask arena debate illustrates the concept of public v private politics as well as some of the pros and cons of democratic systems
chapter 3 politics and the state
the state is an independent, self-governing political community whose governing institutions have the capability to make rules that are binding on the population within a particular territory
the state is not the same thing as the government which is a set of institutions (including politicians) that makes decisions and oversees their implementation on behalf of the state for a particular period of time
ie- afghanistan government post 9-11 lacked the characteristics that made it a nation state
status quo of states is well entrenched throughout the world/nato, establishes privileges and causes incentive to protect this system to keep their territory and privileges
ie- the quebec referendum conflicts with traditional definition of statehood
palestinians are the most prominent group to rally for statehood
suggests that recognition and support is necessary to establish “true statehood”
government is an aspect of state, but government is an institution within institutions
government as the “brain” of statehood
the state: 3 main characteristics:
it involves territorial boundaries– states have borders beyond which their legal authority is nil or strictly limited
The state consists of a complex set of institutions that wield public authority. The courts, police, and the educational system are no less outposts of the state's authority than are the elected legislature and bureaucracy
these are all pieces of the puzzle that are the state
government is foundational to the state, but there are other sets of institutions that surround and make up the state
the state is defined in terms of power. according to max weber, it is defined by “its monopoly of the legitimate use of physical force in the enforcement of its order
the rcmp counts as a member of the state under this definition, given their ability and capacity to exert power over citizens
foundational element of the state is the ability to use force/power
the state at its core uses violence to achieve its aims (colonization)
sovereignty
sovereignty is a legal and actual condition where by states recognize no higher authority either domestically or externally and are thus free to act as they wish *sovereignty is not this clear and might be exercised in different degrees
this is not open to much change
all states, given their sovereignty status, are equal in legal terms
two norms of sovereignty
non interference
non interference is the principle that states should not coercively intervene in the domestic affairs of other states, thereby respecting their sovereign right to govern themselves
this principle is undermined by the use of internet/technology
ie- conservative groups in the usa interfering with alberta separatism
technology allows groups to spread information and ideas that deflect from non-intereference
this, ideally, establishes reciprocity and maintains power
territorial integrity
the principle that a state’s internationally recognised borders and territory must be violated, occupied, or altered by external force
ie- russia invalidating the territorial integrity of ukraine
this is arguably crucial, as dismissing this particular example of sovereignty sets a dangerous precedent
this principle establishes borders
the state definition
the state is a political association that establishes a sovereign jurisdiction within defined territorial borders and exercises authority through a set of permanent institutions
these institutions are those that are recognizably public in that they are responsible for the collective organization of communal life and are funded at the public’s expense
the state is an extractive set of institutions– taxation revenues were created to create institutions
all states create a bare minimum of security– police force, military, etc
features of a state:
sovereignty: it exercises absolute and unrestricted power and stands above all other associations and groups in society– the importance of absolute authority in a territory, common weights, measures, and currency being universal. symbiotic relationship between the state and the people.
a public character: public bodies make and enforce collective decisions, while private bodies exist to satisfy individual interests. the state and its public dimension. the services it offers.
legitimacy: the decisions of the state are accepted as binding on its citizens. sovereignty enables the decisions of the state to be followed, as the state is the authority with absolute power.
domination: only the state can legally use force and restrict liberties to maintain order and security. the state has the capacity to use force externally and domestically. this varies with the constitution in place in the country.
territorial: the state has a set of defined geographic boundaries. this shows where the power begins and ends.
necessity of the state
anarchy is the term for society without government. implies a chaotic and violent state of nature in which individuals are free to exploit and enslave each other
the social contract is a tool used to explain the relation of the state to its citizens: in exchange for maintaining order, stability and the rule of law, the individual must be bound to obey the state
hobbes argued that the power of the state must be absolute to override the evil nature of man
in some spaces, there is no absolute power/no authority
domestic law is enforceable and the government of that state has the capacity to enforce laws
international law is difficult to govern, ie- ukraine invaded by russia, the laws resting upon bodies such as the united nations/nato
laws are predictable and certain in domestic spheres, not so much in international spheres due to the lack of authoritative governing bodies or societal initiative to participate in international matters
what makes canadian state unique
the size of the canadian state– the government's capacity to fully govern a territory of the size of canada
size and geography make it difficult to fully govern and exercise sovereignty
theories of the state
the pluralist state: the state is a referee between many interests and groups that have roughly equal power to influence society
capitalist state: the state is an instrument that enforces and reflects economic power and interest, the economy and state are mutually reinforcing
patriarchal state; the state and laws reinforce the prevailing social order and entrench problems like patriarchy, inequality, and politics of difference
In broad terms, feminist theory proposes the state and its laws reinforce the
prevailing social order, and entrench problems like patriarchy, inequality and
the politics of difference.
• “Some feminists, indeed, may question conventional definitions of the state,
arguing, for instance, that the idea that the state exercises a monopoly of
legitimate violence is compromised by the routine use of violence and
intimidation in family and domestic life” (Heywood and Laing (2025), 71).
Theories of the State: A Spectrum of Feminist
Theory
• Liberal feminists suggest that reform is not only possible but necessary. The
problem stems from practices and laws that limit the equality of women and
can be addressed through state-based legislation and reform.
• A more radical alignment of feminist theory suggests that the state is
instrumental in establishing and maintaining patriarchal power relations
within societies. The state and the laws that stem from it serve to oppress
women and secure exclusive access to power, privilege, and public goods for
men.
Theories of the State: The Patriarchal State
• Jill Vickers (1996) writes, “All state-based political systems are
patriarchal—that is, in no country in the world are women equal
participants in the institutions of the state or equal beneficiaries in its
distribution of power or in the norms and values sanctioned in law
and enforced by those institutions”*
*Jill Vickers (1996), Reinventing Political Science: A Feminist Approach Fernwood Publishing.
Theories of the State: The Patriarchal Capitalist State
• Marxist feminists suggest that the intersection of class and gender
within capitalist societies further complicates understanding the lived
experiences of women where both oppression and exploitation are a
fact of life.
• The State may both serve as an instrument of oppression for women,
but it also enables and sustains the structural conditions for
capitalism to thrive (more often at the cost of women).
Theories of the State: The State, Women and Dependency
• “Modern radical feminists have paid particular attention to the
emergence of the welfare state, seeing it as the expression of a new
kind of patriarchal power. Welfare may uphold patriarchy by bringing
about a transition from private dependence (in which women as
‘home makers’ are dependent on men as ‘breadwinners’) to a system
of public dependence in which women are increasingly controlled by
the institutions of the extended state” (Heywood and Laing (2025)
Theories of the State: Third Wave Feminist Theory
• Feminists influenced by the so-called Third Wave have incorporated
the use of intersectional analysis. The intersection of gender, class,
race, sexual orientation offer a more complex understanding of the
ways in which the state operates and different hierarchies of power
shape social, economic and cultural relations within and across
groups.
The Developmental State
• A developmental state is one that intervenes in economic life with the specific purpose
of promoting industrial growth and economic development
• This does not amount to an attempt to replace the market with a ‘socialist’ system of
planning and control but, rather, to an attempt to construct a partnership between the
state and major economic interests.
• The developmental state focuses on fostering the growth of the nation at-large and has
traditionally been popular in under-developed states – South Korea, Singapore and
China are modern success stories, both capitalist and socialist.
The Social-Democratic State
• Social-democratic states, also called welfare states, intervene with a view to bringing
about broader social restructuring, usually in accordance with principles such as
fairness, equality, and social justice.
• There is a shift from a ‘negative’ view of the state, which sees it as little more than a
necessary evil, to a ‘positive’ view of the state, in which it is seen as a means of
enlarging liberty and promoting justice.
• There is considerable variation on this model – Scandinavian countries have highly
socialized welfare states, while a more minimal model exists in the USA and UK.
The Collectivized State
• Collectivized states are those which bring the entirety of
economic life under state control. It stems from a socialist
preference for common ownership over private property.
• Orthodox communists and Marxists see the collectivized state
as a steppingstone towards the eradication of the state entirely
– as they see the state as an instrument of class oppression,
common economic ownership should, in theory, lead to the
state apparatus slowly disappearing
pluralist state (classical pluralist theory)
the theory starts with the assumption that politics is fundamentally a competition between different interests
people join groups so that their interest can be achieved
you win some, you lose some mentality
propose that an equal playing field is the norm. any group can have success, it must merely figure out the right resources that are necessary
a group’s success or failure is determined by their ability to effectively aggregate resources
what resources are necessary by these standards? what is needed to be successful and influential?
support/material resources/capital are necessary in this system for a group to succeed
the state therefore, responds chiefly to the demands of those groups that are best organized, have superior financial resources, can credibly claim to speak on behalf of large numbers of voters or segments of the population that are influential for other reasons, and are successful in associating their interests with the general interests of society
a useful analogy to think is the state is a referee whose role is to ensure the rules of the game are upheld and enforced
Pluralist theory assumes that the state is responsive to groups and is open to accommodate the interests of groups. it is thus best understood as a theory of state that is democratic
ties into democratic states- the state enables political/social/economic groups
the state is open to influence which ties it to democratic systems
pluralism suggests we join groups because we are self-interested
two core assumptions:
pluralists argue “you win some, you lose some,” suggesting optimism regarding a level playing field
pluralists also argue that the state does not have any interest in outcomes and is completely neutral
key points; the state is a referee and neutral party that ensures groups have resources and needs met
neopluralism
neopluralists acknowledge that business enjoys a privileged position in relation to government that other groups cannot rival
they recognize that business groups have considerable sway over government (in any form of government, economic growth and interest matter)
they also recognize that the state can and does forge its own sectional interests (removing the idea of a level playing field and recognizing that the state is comprised of people with certain interests that sway their decisions)
ie- prime minister carney & his relationship with the EU
ex- the usa’s guaranteed military spending is considered personal interests
in this way, a state elite composed of senior civil servants, judges, police chiefs, military leaders and so on may be seen to pursue either the bureaucratic interests of their sector of the state or interest of client groups
if the state is regarded as a political actor in its own right, it can be viewed as a powerful actor in society
political parties for instance, create campaigns for support, and businesses bring support with money, influence, economic changes
the state is often not neutral and neopluralism recognizes that elites have sway in public and personal life
elite pluralism is another name for neopluralism
***how is neopluralism different from pluralism– how is it a more accurate view of the state?
karl marx and the capitalist state
the state is an instrument that enforces and reflects economic power and interests– the economy and the state are mutually reinforcing
moreover the state in capitalist societies is seen as an instrument through which the small minorities who control most of a society’s wealth maintain their social and economic dominance
the state is a blunt instrument that allows the economic interests to grow
given this approach, the state and its complex of institutions is far from neutral but indicative of specific class interests
fundamentally the free market works because of property rights
the state upholds and protects and sustains this regulatory environment where capital is created
an instrument wielded by class interests
simplistic idea about the state being used as just an instrument
class matters, and the economic interests of the higher ups matters the most
marx argues that “the executive of the modern state is but an instrument for managing the common affairs of the whole bourgeoisie" they argue that the state uses its legislative means to thrive economically
capitalism does not deliver wealth equitably according to marx
could there be examples that reflect this approach as the state as an instrument
the state is a set of institutions that serve class interest to create capital
marx’s thinking on the state also evolved somewhat, he suggested that the state is not exclusively beholden to the bourgeoisie but instead mediates class conflict within society so the class system is maintained (and capitalism may continue to flourish)
shift claiming that the state is an autonomous body that maintains the class system
ex- the state began to establish negotiations for collective bargaining (allowed the working class to thrive under better circumstances, but still allows for capitalism to thrive and grow)
allocations for working class manages capitalism as a machine and allows for the capitalist to thrive while giving small victories for working class
anti-trust law is an example of government intervention within capitalism
neomarxism
marx’s two streams of thinking about the state paved the way for varying interpretations of his ideas in the 20th century
antonio gramsci explored the ideological domination (rather than the material and economic power that the bourgeoisie asserted)
gramsci explained that largely through “hegemony” the class interests of the bourgeoisie were maintained where intellectual leadership and cultural control were essential to ways capitalism was sustained
the belief in individual freedom and liberty that aligns with a free market
ie- materialism and human nature towards consumerism
different groups promote cultural expressions that are entrenched within capitalism
the patriarchal state
in broad terms, feminist theory proposes the state and its law reinforce the prevailing social order, and entrench problems like patriarchy, inequality, and politics and difference
radical feminists:
pointed to circumstances where women are not equal and secure under the state:
some feminists may question the conventional definitions of the state arguing for instance that the idea that the state exercises a monopoly of legitimate violence is compromised by the routine use of violence and intimidation in family and domestic life
liberal feminists:
ie- employment legislature
liberal feminists believe in representation and reformation
ie- legislative assemblies would have more female representation
the status of women as equal citizens under the state is underrepresented
nations and nationalism
a nation is a group of persons who share an identity that is based on, but not limited to, shared ethnic, religious, cultural, or linguistic qualities
nation is tied to one’s identity
something in the state connects to us
the state is political/legal side, nation is the personal/cultural side
most commonly acceptable: ethnicity, religion, culture, language
nations have life/history
nation refers to a people who possess a shared sense of common descent and unifying ethic, religious, or linguistic characteristics
group conscience of forming a community, sharing common culture, attached to a clearly demarcated territory (the state), having a common past and common project for the future and claiming the right to rule itself
a good portion of this territory is historically based on colonization
(as a societal culture) provides its members with meaningful ways of life across the full range of human activities, including social, educational, religious, recreational and economic life, encompassing both public and private spheres. they tend to be territorially concentrated and based on shared language
ie- natural resources in canada
nation as societal culture is spread through lived experience
a large social group integrated not by one but by a combination of several kinds of objective relationships; economic political, linguistic, cultural, religious, geographical, historical, and their subjective reflection in collective consciousness
objective and subjective knowledge
the nation features
culturally: nation is a group of people bound together by a common language, religion, history, and traditions, though they exhibit various levels of cultural heterogeneity
politically; a nation is a group of people who regard themselves as a natural political community, classically expressed through the quest for sovereign statehood
psychologically; a nation is a group of people distinguished by a shared idea
nations are invented traditions
rather than accepting that modern nations have developed out of long established ethnic communities, a belief in historical continuity and cultural purity was invariably a myth created by nationalism
a nation as a myth opens inquiry about narratives about a nation
nations exist more as mental images than genuine communities that require a level of face-to-face interaction to sustain the notion of a common identity
if nations exist, they exist as imagined artifices, constructed through education, the mass media and a process of political socialization
the state plays a role in forging understanding and values
ie- educational curriculums
nations as political communities
the view that nations are essentially political entities emphasizes civic loyalties and political allegiances, rather than cultural identities
the nation is a group of people bound together primarily by shared citizenship, regardless of their cultural, ethnic, and other loyalties
many modern diverse, heterogeneous nations may espouse civic nationalism based on shared values and political commitments, rather than a common cultural origin like the united states
nations with a civic, rather than cultural, basis naturally tend to be marked by greater cultural heterogeneity
what such nations have in common is that in theory, they were founded on a voluntary acceptance of a common set of principles of goals as opposed to an existing cultural identity
on the other hand, civic nationalism may at times fail to experience the organic unity and sense of historical rootedness that is found in cultural nations
the civic nation in some states is a failed project
the idea is imposed over other ethnic and cultural identities
there are usually other identities
liberalism
what is an ideology?
an ideology is a coherent set of ideas which provide a basis for political action
thick ideologies like liberalism and socialism:
account for existing power relationships in society (explanatory)
provide a standard for assessing/evaluating the status of society (evaluative)
helps persons make sense of complex events, identify what is important, and locate themselves within society (orientative)
provide a model for desired future and outline how political change should be brought about (programmatic)
presents fixed nature about humans and society
explain, assess, orientate, and programmatic
thin ideologies like populism do not do all of these and are paired with other ideologies
“fairly coherent and comprehensive set of ideas that explains and evaluates social conditions, helps people understand place in society, and provides programme for social and political action”
a configuration of concepts that describes and assesses the social world with an eye to mobilizing people for action”
classical liberalism
important historical set of ideas
basis for american and french revolutions
premised on classical liberal thinking
human beings share these fundamental characteristics:
rational individual, self-interested, competitive, acquisitive
enlightenment ideology: originated in the age of reason
individualism is building block of this ideology
pursuit of happiness
goal is freedom/liberty
the plan or program are focused on how to achieve autonomy
autonomy= self-government/self rule, meaning an individual’s ability to direct their own life according to values, reasons, and choices
what is the best way to guarantee freedom within a society?
classical liberalism: a commitment to an extreme form of individualism
strong belief in negative liberty- freedom should be maximized by placing as few constraints as possible
the state is a necessary evil to enforce law but should interfere as little as possible in social and economic issues
laissez-faire free market
core ideas: freedom, reason, individualism, equality, toleration, consent, constitutionalism
contractualism– freely entering into an agreement with another party and agreeing on terms
shift from classical to modern liberalism
what has changed over time is the program
the role of government
the central question revolves around the appropriate role of the state in the lives of its citizens
the key change has been the shift from minimal state (or limited) to the interventionist state
modern liberalism is equal opportunity
levelling the playing field and adding additional measures of equality
equity vs equality
very specific targeted programs
not involving property rights
government is best able to provide to groups in society, for example employment insurance
resources come from taxation (varies from classical liberalism)
advocates for the welfare state– allows for resources to assist individuals that don’t have equal opportunity
equal playing field– address and target individuals that have less opportunities
taxation and income tax (classical no, modern yes)
government should be left to the propertied class was replaced by democratic principles of mass participation
the strength of unions demonstrated class interests
the concept of freedom was changed to recognize that the state might have to curb some liberties to provide a higher standard of living for the least well-off in society
modern liberals abandoned laissez-faire capitalism to accept the teaching of economist John Maynard Keynes (1883-1946) who argues in the 1930s that reliance market forces could result in permanent economic depression
modern liberal vs socialist: modern liberals focused on groups/individual levelling, socialists focused on the market/private property
ie– universal healthcare, unemployment insurance, old age pensions
modern liberalism: characterized by a more sympathetic attitude towards state intervention, particularly to support those who are vulnerable or disadvantaged
belief in positive liberty, in which conditions are created for people to freely pursue the ends they desire, not which circumstances force them to endure
neoliberalism
the central pillars of neoliberalism are the market and the individual
the principle neoliberal goal is to minimize the role of state in the economy in the belief that unregulated market capitalism will deliver efficiency, growth, and widespread prosperity
self-help, rugged individualism, and individual responsibility and entrepreneurism embody neo-liberal ethic
deregulation–
ie- ronald reagan and margaret thatcher
NAFTA- advances the idea of north american borders
acknowledge individualism through the market as opposed to the government/state
minimize the role of the state within capitalism
facilitate freedom of choice
welfare state: breeds a culture of dependence, stifles the incentive to work hard and innovate, and undermines freedom
more economical argument as opposed to ideological arguments
it’s up to the individual and the individual alone to succeed
transforms global economy
creates an economic system for corporations to thrive
neoliberalism does not benefit those who need social assistance/resources to pursue individual freedom
economic hardship set in place from neoliberalism
those with wealth benefit
****all forms of liberalism are after individualism/freedom, but the programs are vastly different
liberals embrace capitalism and provide better opportunities for the wealthier class
classical conservatism
classical conservatism is relying on the past
“good order is the foundation of all good things”
edmund burke– believed the revolution was the fault of liberalism/enlightenment thinking
order and stability foundational for a conservative economy
humans are fallible, flawed, reason does not necessarily prevail, drawn to misguided ways and prone to error and vice
logic to conservative platform addresses perpetual and unchanging condition
pluralistic in some capacity: government not the sole institution of society
believed in the church as a moral guide/authority
traditional hierarchical societies are the model
“rage and frenzy will pull down more in half an hour than prudence, deliberation, and foresight can build up in a hundred years”
the errors and defects of old establishments are viable and palpable
key ideas:
tradition: tradition is the accumulated wisdom of the past and a society’s traditions maintain its order and unity
paternalism: hierarchy is natural. some are suited to rule more than others, but they should rule for the benefit of us all
ideals are nice, but government should be pragmatic and focus on what works
core ideas: tradition, pragmatism, human imperfection, organicism(a member of an organism, required to provide what the organism needs to function, organism with then thrive), hierarchy, authority, property
some are more fit to govern than others
“best of the worst” is fit to rule
society as a quilt– every individual as a thread interwoven into a quilt: indicative of roles
challenge the notion of individualism and see individuals as members of society first
the ultimate and primary goal is to maintain order and stability
the importance of community and making sense of the larger whole is important (as opposed to the individual orientation of liberals)
paternalism is key
ex- content warnings on music as a result of christian groups under ronald reagan
young people listening to hip hop for example could create a tear in the fabric of society
foundations: tradition, value of institutions, importance of elites, role of church and religion, role of the family, hierarchal conception of society
realism or pessimistic depending on who is being asked
law needs moral and ethical component
challenge the idea of individualism
foundational institution in the church
hierarchical system: best fit to rule are the people at the top
established ranks for individuals
neoconservatism
reduce the role of the welfare state
ideological edge; about messaging about creating a society that makes people incapable of caring for others
law, order, traditional values are key
embrace mechanisms of the marketplace
neo conservatives adopt classic conservative views
education and public morality as concerns of the state
neo conservatives believe a healthy democratic culture can only be preserved if the state takes an active role in preserving it
ie– the transgender identity and name policies
abortion, prostitution, drug use need government intervention
the new right: born out of apparent failure of keynesianism and concern of social breakdown. strongly influenced by ideas of neoliberal economists
neoconservatism: peace through strength, supports strong national defence, free trade, and free markets
Paleoconservatism: Religion, family and traditional values are the bedrock of a good society; permissiveness fosters decline
socialism
a response to industrial capitalism/industrial revolution
socialists recognize that economic systems are key
‘we believe that no nation can survive politically free but economically enslaved” tommy douglas
economic life matters
socialists see people as members of particular classes that dictate power/influence/roles
inequitable distribution of resources
until we address an inequitable economic system, we cannot experience freedom/liberty
assumptions of human nature: cooperative beings, social and communal, and creative (for marx as it is applied to labour)
assumptions of group nature as opposed to individualist
marx argued human labour is unique to humans and express creativity though it
commodification of labour denies creativity
work that makes an individual happy
industrial aspect of capitalism made labour into repetitive and mind-numbing
status quo– haves and have-nots, most citizens are have nots
“collective freedom”
creative capabilities can be tied to labour
focus on work– safer work, worker’s rights, working hours
human extension of machines
wage lower than value of good created– never a fair wage
developed as a reaction to industrial capitalism and became associated with the interests of the working classes
marxism: seeks a revolution to abolish the capitalist market economy and replace it with a society constructed on the basis of common ownership, led by a party of committed revolutionaries
core ideas: community, fraternity, social equality, need, social class, common ownership
history of socialism historically not well executed
socialism linked to authoritarian regimes
lives of people in the process of revolution or collectivization dismissed
unions/labour organisms
marx argues that unions are not adequate as they do not disrupt the class systems that favour the elites
marxism not democratic
marxism is revolutionary
socialism is more reform-orientated
more equitable outcomes
liberals reluctant to government intervention
socialists encourage government intervention
humans tied together because of our social nature
in 20th century revolutions are historically authoritarian
socialists perceive society as an egalitarian human community that aspires to the common good through social progress
historically, private property (or capitalism) stands in the way of equality and freedom
the desire for emancipation leads socialism to oppose any other forms of power deemed oppressive, whether they originate from the state, market, or other institution
class (one’s socio-economic status in society) is key unit of analysis of a socialist
conservatives and liberals dislike the socialist aspect of interventionist government
collective ownership and control of public resources
redistribution of wealth: how to mitigate the problem with class? set in place universal set of programs
social democracy: norway ie- social safety net systems like maternity leave and paternity leave
corporations recognize these benefits
ultimately comes at a cost
government is interventionist and taxation is high
social programs that are universal
socialists have a broad campaign
private property rests on individuals who can benefit from the material resources
some resources should be considered public
state manages public resources on behalf of society
ex- sasktel in 1940s: crown corporation with socialist ethic
telephone becoming infrastructure
regenerate expenses to extend resources to citizens
subsidization
crown intervention– set a basic price based on the end goal
sasktel one of the few remaining crown corps in the country
nobody should be denied equitable shares of their resources
universal university tuition– equal opportunities and an educated society as a public good
collective benefit that is contributed through taxation
“good for all”
a “robin hood” tax on global financial transactions
tax placed on corporate revenues generated from revenue transactions
the revenue would be put into institutions like climate funds
financial transactions being taxed in this way would indicate the redistribution of wealth
rests on socialist dynamic
recognizes inequities
social democracy is reform based
modern socialism has moved away from the revolutionary politics of marx
“market economies have generated the wealth needed to provide effective social rights but its unequal distribution of income and power runs counter to the democratic goal of equal citizens”