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15 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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SAQ: Why have democratic socialists believed in the inevitability of gradualism |
-Expansion of political democracy, working class enfranchisement -socialism concerned with the interests of working classes, therefore they will benefit from it and vote for it -socialist parties would be able to form governments and act on socialist policies due to their morality |
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SAQ: Why has socialism been viewed as a form of class politics? |
-socialism concerned with the interests of working class -working class are the means of change- through trade unions and a revolutionary party - Marx’s view of history is based upon the dispute between classes and the ownership of the means of production |
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SAQ: Why did Marx believe that capitalism was doomed to collapse |
- from his view of history, inevitability of uprising -class consciousness, eventually the working classes would become so alienated they would rebel -boom and bust cycle would become so volatile that a bust would shatter capitalism |
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SAQ: How and why have socialists supported collectivism |
-social nature of humans, we can overcome difficulties collectively much easier than individually -support for trade unions and collective action -preference for common ownership shows the basis for absolute equality within socialism |
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SAQ:In what sense do socialists have a positive view of human nature? |
-plastic- moulded by society and capable of self improvement and development -social- capable of cooperation and of mutual respect, harmonious living -rational, linked to enlightenment reasoning, capable of reshaping society to be better for everyone |
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SAQ: How and why are socialists committed to social equality |
-(why) many existing inequalities are due to the structure of our system and not individual differences- we are all the same -(why) social equality doesn’t only benefit individuals but the entirety of society -(how) progressive tax and welfare |
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SAQ: On what grounds have socialists criticised the liberal view of equality |
-equality of opp vs equality of outcome - capitalism helps achieve equality -socialists emphasis on economic equality liberals focus on social equality |
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SAQ: Why have some socialists supported revolution rather than reform? |
-lack of democracy in many countries -dialectical materialism- the conflict between the classes is needed for working class to realise they want socialism -state is inherently capitalist in its current form and will never accept socialism |
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SAQ: Distinguish between fundamental and revisionist socialists |
- revise capitalism vs overthrow it - beliefs in the power of democracy - economic markets create wealth that can benefit the less well off vs creation of further inequality |
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ESSAY: Socialism is defined by its opposition to capitalism |
- common belief it is exploitative, surplus value, conflict between bourgeoisie and proletariat by fundamentalists HOWEVER don’t reject capitalism as useful system for generating wealth, belief it is actually very good at this - 20th century communism- state planning and collectivisation, can be seen as rejection of capitalism. HOWEVER largely rejected |
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ESSAY: To what extent have socialists disagreed about the means of achieving socialism |
-disagreement between use of democracy, evo vs Rev, small changes vs one big change. HOWEVER, can be seen as similar methods just a development of it to take it slowly and allow people to become used to it -the use of capitalism to achieve socialism vs anti capitalist. HOWEVER rev can be seen to be dying out- no longer the accepted therefore support for capitalist -disagreement between Marxists and leninists- Great Leap Forward etc. HOWEVER leninists seen as not socialists, excuse for power - revisionists and neo-revisionists disagree on free market vs state owned nationalised. HOWEVER both use wealth redistribution and accept the use of capitalism |
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ESSAY: There is more that unites socialists than divides them |
- the need for greater equality in society HOWEVER neo revisionists argue wealth creation is more important -restriction of powers of big business HOWEVER restriction or destruction? - democracy is useful vs need a revolution HOWEVER argued decline in power of revolutionaries -differing views on private property HOWEVER all arguably want the same in the long run |
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ESSAY: To what extent have socialists been committed to equality of outcome? |
- fundamentalists, complete social equality through common ownership HOWEVER DoP is argued to never come out from power due to human nature -social democrats, redistribution of wealth through welfare and progressive tax,HOWEVER not full commitment- still inequality -Neo-revisionists wealth creation over redistribution HOWEVER argued to not be socialists -Gradualism accepts inequality on the way therefore not commitment HOWEVER long run commitment to equality |
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ESSAY: To what extent have socialists advocated the common ownership of wealth? |
-Marxists belief in complete common ownership- state control and distribute everything. HOWEVER argued communism in 20th c wealth was controlled by the state -democratic socialists nationalisation of economy HOWEVER mixed economy argued not full advocation -neo revisionists fully reject common ownership of wealth- privatisation and free market. HOWEVER sometimes classed as non socialists by both rev and evo - democratic socialists support for private property HOWEVER arguably only there until gradual change achieves full common ownership and will then be abolished |
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ESSAY: socialism is defined by its commitment to collectivism. Discuss |
-Socialist view of human nature, humans are social creatures and therefore strive to be a group ie collectivism HOWEVER argued individualist liberal view of human nature from neo-revisionists -collective ownership- redistribution of wealth to the collective HOWEVER revisionists views that private property and economic incentives can be used departs from this -trade unionism- 20th century collectivism in the workplace- workplace is key part of life and collectivism their reflects in life. HOWEVER decline in power of trade unions argues they are no longer necessary -neo revisionists support for free market HOWEVER argued to not being socialists |
