4.3 Socialism Key Thinkers
The eradication or minimisation of class within society. Human nature is socially determined, and as humans are absolutely equal, Marxists in particular advocate for the eradication of class to topple the inequalities of capitalism, espouse equality and create a communitarian society.
It demonstrates how Revolutionary Socialism can be applied through less violent means than the typical soviet example.
They believe that morally, humans desire community and positive traits are expressed more distinctly through collectivism. Economically, it also prevents the excess waste and inefficiency as they view it of capitalism, as combined effort increases yield and reward.
The necessity of some material rewards. They would advocate for a system of partial material reward whilst retaining a moral focus of redistribution and equality. Many offices and companies adopt this model, by providing salaries and benefits whilst also having a sustainability and volunteering aspect outside of the work.
Socialism at its root was born in opposition to the status quo: the capitalist system. As such, it makes sense to view its attitudes to the economy, human nature, the structure of society and the role of the state as a response to the failures of capitalism. On the other hand, socialism is its own ideology, with established principles separate from capitalism; however, as socialism has progressed, the integration of socialist principles within capitalist systems suggests that the two are not at direct odds and can be adapted, and that historically, the dialectical conflict between communism and capitalism has painted socialism as a rejection of the capitalist state. Nonetheless, it is clear that originally Marx in particular intended socialism to oppose capitalism, and this has been perpetuated continually in the more left wing strands.
Social democrats are more inclined to accept the futility of attempting to dismantle capitalist systems, instead focussing their energy on introducing the moral and social principles of socialism to the capitalist economic methodology. In this way, they see the state as an enabler, and a provider of welfare and wealth redistribution. Marxists see the state as an instrument of capitalist oppression, dominated by the ruling classes and designed to suppress the worker. They entirely reject the notion of accepting capitalism, as they see this as avoiding the fundamental issue of inequality. Where SD advocate for peace and class consensus, RS argue for revolution and violence to achieve long term peace.
RS believe that workers’, having gained class consciousness must overthrow the bourgeoisie and create a worker’s state, with a babysitter state ensuring society is adhering to Marxist principle.
SD believe in worker’s control through trade unions, guilds and federations, though the nature of this is disputed. Some of those advocating for workers suggest the state should be replaced by a federation of guilds or trade unions, whilst others simply argue for increased voices for the workers within the state.
TW arguably minimise the principle of workers’ control, by removing Clause IV, common ownership from the Labour manifesto and appealing to big business.
British Guild Socialism was
state run collectivism
small centralised state managing + ensuring society is upholding socialist principles (contradictory?)
Leninists: collectivism led by a central vanguard party (Luxembourg disagrees (dividing wall))
complete collectivisation of industry
the eradication of social class by means of a dialectical struggle between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie
positive view of humanity; more can be accomplished together e.g. Stalin’s Russia saw acceleration of Russian industry from a backwards agrarian society to a mechanised globally recognised economic power able to fight WW2 + defeat Hitler
the eradication of social class as the ultimate goal
absolute equality and equality of outcome
reject equality of opportunity as failing to address the root problem of inequalities + exploitation within capitalism (brushing over the issue)
complete worker’s control; everyone has a stake in what is being made to maintain personal investment and interest
mutual cooperation responsibility + outcome
Burkhina Faso Case Study
emerged following WW1
necessity to distance themselves from the terror of Russia’s Revolution
upholds the necessity for a mixed economy as opposed to fully collectivised (Keynesian)
state run industry mixed with the enterprises of private companies
emphasise welfare (WW1 context, cradle to grave + 7 giants needed to be addressed)
maintain equality of opportunity
focused on narrowing the natural poverty gap as opposed to eradicating it
in some ways therefore maintain class through meritocracy
guilds + Trade Union powers
necessary to appeal to broader base + revamp the Labour party
loses much of the original socialist thinking in favour of capitalist tendencies esp towards economy
mixed economy (PPIs + PFIs (public private initiatives + public finance initiatives?)
stricter state on law + order (tough on crime tough on the causes of crime)
maintain welfarism of prior strands
communitarian approach
working together to yield greatest outcome
competition + capitalism is divisive and harmful
positive view of human nature
cooperative, responsible + willing
greater outcomes together than separately
cooperative movements: models that follow the principle of common humanity e.g. John Lewis + Partners, partners invest a share in the company + work together
criticism for workers lacking expertise
lack of managerial or investor expertise could cramp growth
John Lewis model failing atm (research?)
varies between strands; equality of opportunity to equality of outcome
minimising the poverty gap v eradicating class altogether
accepting systems of capitalism v identifying capitalism as the root cause of inequality in society
varies amongst strands; acceptance or aim to abolish
fundamental to Marxist theory
RS: complete workers’ control e.g. Russian Revolution
SD: prominence of workers through TUs + Guilds
TW: minimal workers’ control
Marx + Engels
dialectical change between proletariat + bourgeoisie
historical materialism: history understand through a purely socioeconomic lens
class consciousness: proletariat need to experience suffering to understand the necessity of rising up + overthrowing the elite
‘
Das Kapital
Rosa Luxembourg
prominent SDP (Germany) + involved in Kapp Putsch?
disagreed with Lenin’s vanguard party model → dividing line between ruling + working
Key Work:
Key Quote:
Anthony Crosland
Social Democracy
grammar school slayer (I will destroy every grammar school in England and Wales)
Beatrice Webb
Anthony Giddens
brainchild of New Labour
communitarian approach
highlights importance of capitalism in generating wealth
recognises its failings + offsets it through welfare
The eradication or minimisation of class within society. Human nature is socially determined, and as humans are absolutely equal, Marxists in particular advocate for the eradication of class to topple the inequalities of capitalism, espouse equality and create a communitarian society.
It demonstrates how Revolutionary Socialism can be applied through less violent means than the typical soviet example.
They believe that morally, humans desire community and positive traits are expressed more distinctly through collectivism. Economically, it also prevents the excess waste and inefficiency as they view it of capitalism, as combined effort increases yield and reward.
The necessity of some material rewards. They would advocate for a system of partial material reward whilst retaining a moral focus of redistribution and equality. Many offices and companies adopt this model, by providing salaries and benefits whilst also having a sustainability and volunteering aspect outside of the work.
Socialism at its root was born in opposition to the status quo: the capitalist system. As such, it makes sense to view its attitudes to the economy, human nature, the structure of society and the role of the state as a response to the failures of capitalism. On the other hand, socialism is its own ideology, with established principles separate from capitalism; however, as socialism has progressed, the integration of socialist principles within capitalist systems suggests that the two are not at direct odds and can be adapted, and that historically, the dialectical conflict between communism and capitalism has painted socialism as a rejection of the capitalist state. Nonetheless, it is clear that originally Marx in particular intended socialism to oppose capitalism, and this has been perpetuated continually in the more left wing strands.
Social democrats are more inclined to accept the futility of attempting to dismantle capitalist systems, instead focussing their energy on introducing the moral and social principles of socialism to the capitalist economic methodology. In this way, they see the state as an enabler, and a provider of welfare and wealth redistribution. Marxists see the state as an instrument of capitalist oppression, dominated by the ruling classes and designed to suppress the worker. They entirely reject the notion of accepting capitalism, as they see this as avoiding the fundamental issue of inequality. Where SD advocate for peace and class consensus, RS argue for revolution and violence to achieve long term peace.
RS believe that workers’, having gained class consciousness must overthrow the bourgeoisie and create a worker’s state, with a babysitter state ensuring society is adhering to Marxist principle.
SD believe in worker’s control through trade unions, guilds and federations, though the nature of this is disputed. Some of those advocating for workers suggest the state should be replaced by a federation of guilds or trade unions, whilst others simply argue for increased voices for the workers within the state.
TW arguably minimise the principle of workers’ control, by removing Clause IV, common ownership from the Labour manifesto and appealing to big business.
British Guild Socialism was
state run collectivism
small centralised state managing + ensuring society is upholding socialist principles (contradictory?)
Leninists: collectivism led by a central vanguard party (Luxembourg disagrees (dividing wall))
complete collectivisation of industry
the eradication of social class by means of a dialectical struggle between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie
positive view of humanity; more can be accomplished together e.g. Stalin’s Russia saw acceleration of Russian industry from a backwards agrarian society to a mechanised globally recognised economic power able to fight WW2 + defeat Hitler
the eradication of social class as the ultimate goal
absolute equality and equality of outcome
reject equality of opportunity as failing to address the root problem of inequalities + exploitation within capitalism (brushing over the issue)
complete worker’s control; everyone has a stake in what is being made to maintain personal investment and interest
mutual cooperation responsibility + outcome
Burkhina Faso Case Study
emerged following WW1
necessity to distance themselves from the terror of Russia’s Revolution
upholds the necessity for a mixed economy as opposed to fully collectivised (Keynesian)
state run industry mixed with the enterprises of private companies
emphasise welfare (WW1 context, cradle to grave + 7 giants needed to be addressed)
maintain equality of opportunity
focused on narrowing the natural poverty gap as opposed to eradicating it
in some ways therefore maintain class through meritocracy
guilds + Trade Union powers
necessary to appeal to broader base + revamp the Labour party
loses much of the original socialist thinking in favour of capitalist tendencies esp towards economy
mixed economy (PPIs + PFIs (public private initiatives + public finance initiatives?)
stricter state on law + order (tough on crime tough on the causes of crime)
maintain welfarism of prior strands
communitarian approach
working together to yield greatest outcome
competition + capitalism is divisive and harmful
positive view of human nature
cooperative, responsible + willing
greater outcomes together than separately
cooperative movements: models that follow the principle of common humanity e.g. John Lewis + Partners, partners invest a share in the company + work together
criticism for workers lacking expertise
lack of managerial or investor expertise could cramp growth
John Lewis model failing atm (research?)
varies between strands; equality of opportunity to equality of outcome
minimising the poverty gap v eradicating class altogether
accepting systems of capitalism v identifying capitalism as the root cause of inequality in society
varies amongst strands; acceptance or aim to abolish
fundamental to Marxist theory
RS: complete workers’ control e.g. Russian Revolution
SD: prominence of workers through TUs + Guilds
TW: minimal workers’ control
Marx + Engels
dialectical change between proletariat + bourgeoisie
historical materialism: history understand through a purely socioeconomic lens
class consciousness: proletariat need to experience suffering to understand the necessity of rising up + overthrowing the elite
‘
Das Kapital
Rosa Luxembourg
prominent SDP (Germany) + involved in Kapp Putsch?
disagreed with Lenin’s vanguard party model → dividing line between ruling + working
Key Work:
Key Quote:
Anthony Crosland
Social Democracy
grammar school slayer (I will destroy every grammar school in England and Wales)
Beatrice Webb
Anthony Giddens
brainchild of New Labour
communitarian approach
highlights importance of capitalism in generating wealth
recognises its failings + offsets it through welfare
