1. Explain and analyse three ways in which socialist thinkers have explained human nature
Karl Marx Rosa Luxemburg Beatrice Webb
Human nature which used to be Luxembourg argued that human Webb argues that the revolution of
fraternal has become capitalist due nature had not deteriorated to the capitalism is inevitable because of
to the bourgeois values therefore extent that Marx argued, and that human nature. Webb believed that
making human nature less fraternalist values could still be found humans needed to be guided back
compassionate and more selfish; amongst the working class - to the original ideas of human nature
however Marx believed that a social although it had become weakened which were cooperative, and ‘good.’
revolution would resolve this as it by capitalist economics.
would be collective.
2. Explain and analyse three ways in which socialist thinkers have explained the nature of the state
Karl Marx Rosa Luxemburg Beatrice Webb
Marx believed that the bourgeois The capitalist state should be Webb argues through the use of
was a tool to maintain the power of revolutionised to enable a greater universal suffrage, a capitalist
the dominant capitalists; and should and genuine democracy which society would naturally transition into
be destroyed by revolution to be valued freedom of speech and free a socialist society; as there would no
replaced with a new socialist system elections. The revolution will only be longer be any version of superiority
run by a dictator which reflected the successful however by economically as everybody would have the same
working people (proletariat.) weakening the capitalists through rights regardless of wealth or social
strike action. statues eg.
3. Explain and three ways in which socialist thinkers have viewed the economy
Karl Marx Rosa Luxemburg Beatrice Webb
Marx believed that capitalism is Luxemburg believed that capitalism The economy will evolve to become
corrupt and self destructive. Marx could potentially be recovered and more beneficial to the workers’
believed that the economy would be so should be replaced intimately with ‘fruits.’ This would encourage a
replaced to be based upon collective an economy based on worker’s common ownership of production
ownership rather than individual control. However the economy would which would collectively benefit
ownership to provide the “material be successful as the majority (the everybody, an idea which she refers
needs for society” which working class) would be in control/ to as “cooperative individualism” in
accommodates everybody. content, her 1891.
4. Explain and analyse the significance of three sources of the UK Constitution
1. Statute Law: A law which uses parliamentary sovereignty to override all other laws with the exception of the
EU’s laws. An example of a statute law would be the European Community Act of 1972, or the Human Rights
Act of 1998. Therefore, this is arguably the most important source of the UK constitution as these laws are
‘superior.’
2. Common Law: These are laws which are based on precedent and tradition - sometimes referred to as a
‘judge-made law.’ When deciding the legality of a case, a judge will analyse previous decisions made on
similar cases. An example of this would be the powers contained in the royal prerogative (which are now
exercised by the PM.) The common law is significant as it enables lawful and justified legal decisions to be
made by a judge, which therefore prevent misuse or injustice from occurring.
3. Works of Authority: Works written by scholars who are deemed as being ‘experts’ by the constitution; they
outline what is lawfully correct. An example of this would be Bagehot’s ‘The English Constitution.’ Works of
authority is significant as it ensures the constitution continues to be run ‘correctly’, as well as traditionally
however, arguably this only makes the constitution outdated as the scholars rose to prominence in the
Victorian period.
Karl Marx Rosa Luxemburg Beatrice Webb
Human nature which used to be Luxembourg argued that human Webb argues that the revolution of
fraternal has become capitalist due nature had not deteriorated to the capitalism is inevitable because of
to the bourgeois values therefore extent that Marx argued, and that human nature. Webb believed that
making human nature less fraternalist values could still be found humans needed to be guided back
compassionate and more selfish; amongst the working class - to the original ideas of human nature
however Marx believed that a social although it had become weakened which were cooperative, and ‘good.’
revolution would resolve this as it by capitalist economics.
would be collective.
2. Explain and analyse three ways in which socialist thinkers have explained the nature of the state
Karl Marx Rosa Luxemburg Beatrice Webb
Marx believed that the bourgeois The capitalist state should be Webb argues through the use of
was a tool to maintain the power of revolutionised to enable a greater universal suffrage, a capitalist
the dominant capitalists; and should and genuine democracy which society would naturally transition into
be destroyed by revolution to be valued freedom of speech and free a socialist society; as there would no
replaced with a new socialist system elections. The revolution will only be longer be any version of superiority
run by a dictator which reflected the successful however by economically as everybody would have the same
working people (proletariat.) weakening the capitalists through rights regardless of wealth or social
strike action. statues eg.
3. Explain and three ways in which socialist thinkers have viewed the economy
Karl Marx Rosa Luxemburg Beatrice Webb
Marx believed that capitalism is Luxemburg believed that capitalism The economy will evolve to become
corrupt and self destructive. Marx could potentially be recovered and more beneficial to the workers’
believed that the economy would be so should be replaced intimately with ‘fruits.’ This would encourage a
replaced to be based upon collective an economy based on worker’s common ownership of production
ownership rather than individual control. However the economy would which would collectively benefit
ownership to provide the “material be successful as the majority (the everybody, an idea which she refers
needs for society” which working class) would be in control/ to as “cooperative individualism” in
accommodates everybody. content, her 1891.
4. Explain and analyse the significance of three sources of the UK Constitution
1. Statute Law: A law which uses parliamentary sovereignty to override all other laws with the exception of the
EU’s laws. An example of a statute law would be the European Community Act of 1972, or the Human Rights
Act of 1998. Therefore, this is arguably the most important source of the UK constitution as these laws are
‘superior.’
2. Common Law: These are laws which are based on precedent and tradition - sometimes referred to as a
‘judge-made law.’ When deciding the legality of a case, a judge will analyse previous decisions made on
similar cases. An example of this would be the powers contained in the royal prerogative (which are now
exercised by the PM.) The common law is significant as it enables lawful and justified legal decisions to be
made by a judge, which therefore prevent misuse or injustice from occurring.
3. Works of Authority: Works written by scholars who are deemed as being ‘experts’ by the constitution; they
outline what is lawfully correct. An example of this would be Bagehot’s ‘The English Constitution.’ Works of
authority is significant as it ensures the constitution continues to be run ‘correctly’, as well as traditionally
however, arguably this only makes the constitution outdated as the scholars rose to prominence in the
Victorian period.
