Starting Blocks of Socialist Beliefs
Human Nature
Socialists have a positive view of human nature and regard people as social creatures who are co-operative,
sociable and rational. From this perspective, human behaviour is socially determined and people naturally
prefer to work together rather than compete against each other. This co-operative outlook enables humans to
form connections (based on understanding, mutual support and respect), harness the capabilities of the whole
community or society, and experience personal growth. Marxist socialists maintain that the true co-operative
instincts of humans can be liberated only by the removal of the exploitative and oppressive capitalist system
and the creation of a communist society.
The State
In theory, Marxism regards the state as an instrument of class rule. Marxist socialists argue that, under
capitalism, the ruling bourgeoisie use the state apparatus (such as the political and legal system) to
maintain their dominance over the proletariat. In their view, the state will wither away once communism
has established a classless equal society. However, in practice, Marxist and state socialist regimes have
used a centralised state to organise most or all production and distribution, and control their populations.
Social democrats by contrast, argue that limited state intervention in social and economic affairs can
safeguard the public and remedy the shortcomings of capitalism. Third-way supporters, or neo-
revisionists, adopt a much more sceptical attitude towards the state, asserting that ‘top down’ state
intervention in economic and social matters is both inefficient and ineffective. For third-way socialists,
the state should focus on social investment in infrastructure and education to improve job opportunities
and to encourage self-reliance.
Society
Traditionally, socialists have seen society as being characterised mainly by class inequalities, economic
divisions and significant disparities in property ownership. For example, Marxists argue that capitalist
society is dominated by class conflict between the ruling bourgeoisie and the proletariat. In their view,
only communism, with its commitment to classlessness and absolute equality can deliver a stable and
unified society. Social democrats tend to view society in more fluid terms. They accept that class
inequalities exist, but also maintain that these social differences can be reduced through peaceful
improvements such as welfare and redistribution schemes. Social democrats also recognise that
deindustrialisation and the rise of the service economy has made society increasingly ‘middle class’. Third
way thinking on society rejects the traditional socialist emphasis on class distinctions and inequality.
Instead, the third-way model of society stresses harmony, consensus and social inclusion.
The Economy
Most socialists call for some form of intervention or planning in economic affairs because they maintain
that the profit driven free market cannot allocate wealth and resources fairly. Marxists and state
socialists advocate replacing capitalism with a centrally planned economy based on common ownership
of the means of production. Under communism, Marxists argue that economic production will be
determined solely by human need. In contrast, social democrats accept a degree of free-market
capitalism, and favour a mixed economy of nationalised key industries and privately-owned enterprises.
Social democrats also endorse Keynesian interventionist techniques to regulate capitalism and maintain
employment. In addition, they support welfare policies to redistribute wealth. Third way socialists readily
accept the primacy of the free market economy since, in their view, it is the most efficient system of
production – the resulting economic growth benefits everyone and encourages desirable personal
qualities such as responsibility. Third-way thinking also rejects state intervention in the economy on the
grounds that it discourages investment and stifles entrepreneurial initiative.
Human Nature
Socialists have a positive view of human nature and regard people as social creatures who are co-operative,
sociable and rational. From this perspective, human behaviour is socially determined and people naturally
prefer to work together rather than compete against each other. This co-operative outlook enables humans to
form connections (based on understanding, mutual support and respect), harness the capabilities of the whole
community or society, and experience personal growth. Marxist socialists maintain that the true co-operative
instincts of humans can be liberated only by the removal of the exploitative and oppressive capitalist system
and the creation of a communist society.
The State
In theory, Marxism regards the state as an instrument of class rule. Marxist socialists argue that, under
capitalism, the ruling bourgeoisie use the state apparatus (such as the political and legal system) to
maintain their dominance over the proletariat. In their view, the state will wither away once communism
has established a classless equal society. However, in practice, Marxist and state socialist regimes have
used a centralised state to organise most or all production and distribution, and control their populations.
Social democrats by contrast, argue that limited state intervention in social and economic affairs can
safeguard the public and remedy the shortcomings of capitalism. Third-way supporters, or neo-
revisionists, adopt a much more sceptical attitude towards the state, asserting that ‘top down’ state
intervention in economic and social matters is both inefficient and ineffective. For third-way socialists,
the state should focus on social investment in infrastructure and education to improve job opportunities
and to encourage self-reliance.
Society
Traditionally, socialists have seen society as being characterised mainly by class inequalities, economic
divisions and significant disparities in property ownership. For example, Marxists argue that capitalist
society is dominated by class conflict between the ruling bourgeoisie and the proletariat. In their view,
only communism, with its commitment to classlessness and absolute equality can deliver a stable and
unified society. Social democrats tend to view society in more fluid terms. They accept that class
inequalities exist, but also maintain that these social differences can be reduced through peaceful
improvements such as welfare and redistribution schemes. Social democrats also recognise that
deindustrialisation and the rise of the service economy has made society increasingly ‘middle class’. Third
way thinking on society rejects the traditional socialist emphasis on class distinctions and inequality.
Instead, the third-way model of society stresses harmony, consensus and social inclusion.
The Economy
Most socialists call for some form of intervention or planning in economic affairs because they maintain
that the profit driven free market cannot allocate wealth and resources fairly. Marxists and state
socialists advocate replacing capitalism with a centrally planned economy based on common ownership
of the means of production. Under communism, Marxists argue that economic production will be
determined solely by human need. In contrast, social democrats accept a degree of free-market
capitalism, and favour a mixed economy of nationalised key industries and privately-owned enterprises.
Social democrats also endorse Keynesian interventionist techniques to regulate capitalism and maintain
employment. In addition, they support welfare policies to redistribute wealth. Third way socialists readily
accept the primacy of the free market economy since, in their view, it is the most efficient system of
production – the resulting economic growth benefits everyone and encourages desirable personal
qualities such as responsibility. Third-way thinking also rejects state intervention in the economy on the
grounds that it discourages investment and stifles entrepreneurial initiative.
