Socialism
To what extent do socialists have a common view of human nature:
Agreement:
● Malleable human beings →All socialists have a view that human beings are not
fixed at birth but are malleable, they believe that nature not nurture determined
human behaviour → all experiences derive from society , which the individual can
never separate from. Human beings are not self contained nor self sufficient , and
to think of them as individuals and atomised is ‘absurd’. Marx said history involves
“ a continuous transformation of human nature” , likewise the third way giddens
argued that human nature has been shaped by changing socio - economic factors ,
crossland the social democrat also agrees , suggesting that capitalism becomes
humanised then human beings will flourish
● CooperationBelieving that the natural relationship between humans is one of
cooperation , to some extent all socialists believe that it's natural to want to work
together . → believe they find cooperation more natural and less wasteful +
decisive than competition . Marx and other radicals saw this to be the default of all
humans, morally and practically the way to motivate human production, people
are social animals with the capacity to work together in a fraternal way .SD agree
that cooperation is important but reject complete common ownership and
replaced it with ‘commanding heights of the economy’ , giddens argues that urban
committees foster solidarity and fellowship by providing a strong sense of identity
● Equality →both revolutionary and social democrats believe that to think of human
beings as equal is part of human nature , socialist egalitarianism is underpinned by
the belief that the most significant forms of human inequality is a result of
unequal treatment by society. Believe that people should be treated equally by
society in terms of their rewards and material circumstances . See this to be in line
with human nature , crossland was against gross inequality, giddens “ equality
must contribute to diversity instead of hindering it”
Disagreement:
● Equality →They disagree about the extent to which social equality should and can
be brought about. Revolutionaries believe in absolute social equality , brought
about by the abolition of private property and collectivism of productive wealth .
Social democrats however believe in relative social equality , achieved by the
redistribution of wealth through the welfare state. The social democratic desire to
tame capitalism rather than abolish it → focusing on eradicating poverty
,● Motivations and incentives→disagreement between all three strands on what
motivates human beings to be productive . For revolutionaries , motivations only
derive from the collective spirit; at the core of Marxism , human nature is
described as altruism as opposed to selfishness. Marx believed that individuals are
neither self sufficient nor self contained and they're inseparable from society
which will consistently encourage cooperation. Social democrats agree that
altruism is important and is brought out collectively through good welfare → NHS
, and also accept that individual selfish motivation has its place. Giddens and the
Third way believes that altruism shouldnt be the driving force in all areas but
rather be focused on the least fortunate , third way believe that humans should be
self serving but still recognise their responsibility to one another
Disagreement:
Is capitalism at odds with human nature → both revolutionary and SD argue that
it breeds selfishness which must be controlled by collective efforts , revolutionary
on the other hand believe that human beings can only truly realise their human
nature in a post capitalist society . Marx , engels and rosenberg agreed that only a
truly utopian society can realise human nature , argued that humans are
contaminated by capitalism and it instils a false consciousness that removed
individuals from their true nature , however rosenberg argued that even in a
capitalist society , through trade union collective action , true human nature
would return. SD believe that although capitalism is at odds with human nature
you can humanise it , such as building societies that value collectivism , fraternity
and equality → greater redistribution through taxation. Crossland argues that out
humanity rejects inequalities of outcome , rather it values a sense of fairness
, To what extent do socialists have a consistent attitude towards the state:
Agreement :
● Socialists largely disagree on the state and future socialist states however there are
some fundamental agreements ; the state can do good and help problems in
society , they disagree that the state should be minimal , all three strands agree
that the state is a reflection of the economic system and serves those who have the
greatest stake in the economy. Greatest agreement between SD and third way ,
they agree that the capitalist state can be utilised to do good and that capitalism
creates problems and the state should be ready to intervene . Crossland and
giddens both saw the need for greater state public spending in health and
education
Disagreement ( how to achieve socialism )
● Disagreement between revolutionary and SD. Revolutionary marxists argue that
the state cannot be understood separate from the economic structure of society ,
the state emerges from the class system , it defends and maintains and defends
oppression and exploitation . Classic marxist view is expressed in the communist
manifesto : ‘ the executive of the modern state is but a common committee for
managing the common affairs of the whole bourgeoisie’ , Engels believed that the
modern state is a capitalist machine. Universal suffrage and competitive elections
are a facade , in order to build socialism proletariat need to overthrow bourgeoisie
through revolution
● Social democrats on the other hand believe that the state allows all social classes
to exercise influence , they believe that evolution would be the cause of socialism
and this is inevitable , beatrice webb ‘ the inevitability of gradualism’ . the
progressive extension of the franchise would eventually place power in the hands
of the numerically dominant class , the working class. Revolutionaries disagree
with this , in order for socialists to respond successfully to electoral pressures ,
they've been forced to water down their ideas , as capitalism has developed , the
electoral strength of the urban manual workforce has declined
● Crossland believes that socialist parties enter politics they will improve capitalism
→ atlee gov 1945 , believe that capitalism will be humanised and socialism could
co exist with improved capitalism. Revolutionary believe that this merely prolongs
capitalism and creates false consciousness .
To what extent do socialists have a common view of human nature:
Agreement:
● Malleable human beings →All socialists have a view that human beings are not
fixed at birth but are malleable, they believe that nature not nurture determined
human behaviour → all experiences derive from society , which the individual can
never separate from. Human beings are not self contained nor self sufficient , and
to think of them as individuals and atomised is ‘absurd’. Marx said history involves
“ a continuous transformation of human nature” , likewise the third way giddens
argued that human nature has been shaped by changing socio - economic factors ,
crossland the social democrat also agrees , suggesting that capitalism becomes
humanised then human beings will flourish
● CooperationBelieving that the natural relationship between humans is one of
cooperation , to some extent all socialists believe that it's natural to want to work
together . → believe they find cooperation more natural and less wasteful +
decisive than competition . Marx and other radicals saw this to be the default of all
humans, morally and practically the way to motivate human production, people
are social animals with the capacity to work together in a fraternal way .SD agree
that cooperation is important but reject complete common ownership and
replaced it with ‘commanding heights of the economy’ , giddens argues that urban
committees foster solidarity and fellowship by providing a strong sense of identity
● Equality →both revolutionary and social democrats believe that to think of human
beings as equal is part of human nature , socialist egalitarianism is underpinned by
the belief that the most significant forms of human inequality is a result of
unequal treatment by society. Believe that people should be treated equally by
society in terms of their rewards and material circumstances . See this to be in line
with human nature , crossland was against gross inequality, giddens “ equality
must contribute to diversity instead of hindering it”
Disagreement:
● Equality →They disagree about the extent to which social equality should and can
be brought about. Revolutionaries believe in absolute social equality , brought
about by the abolition of private property and collectivism of productive wealth .
Social democrats however believe in relative social equality , achieved by the
redistribution of wealth through the welfare state. The social democratic desire to
tame capitalism rather than abolish it → focusing on eradicating poverty
,● Motivations and incentives→disagreement between all three strands on what
motivates human beings to be productive . For revolutionaries , motivations only
derive from the collective spirit; at the core of Marxism , human nature is
described as altruism as opposed to selfishness. Marx believed that individuals are
neither self sufficient nor self contained and they're inseparable from society
which will consistently encourage cooperation. Social democrats agree that
altruism is important and is brought out collectively through good welfare → NHS
, and also accept that individual selfish motivation has its place. Giddens and the
Third way believes that altruism shouldnt be the driving force in all areas but
rather be focused on the least fortunate , third way believe that humans should be
self serving but still recognise their responsibility to one another
Disagreement:
Is capitalism at odds with human nature → both revolutionary and SD argue that
it breeds selfishness which must be controlled by collective efforts , revolutionary
on the other hand believe that human beings can only truly realise their human
nature in a post capitalist society . Marx , engels and rosenberg agreed that only a
truly utopian society can realise human nature , argued that humans are
contaminated by capitalism and it instils a false consciousness that removed
individuals from their true nature , however rosenberg argued that even in a
capitalist society , through trade union collective action , true human nature
would return. SD believe that although capitalism is at odds with human nature
you can humanise it , such as building societies that value collectivism , fraternity
and equality → greater redistribution through taxation. Crossland argues that out
humanity rejects inequalities of outcome , rather it values a sense of fairness
, To what extent do socialists have a consistent attitude towards the state:
Agreement :
● Socialists largely disagree on the state and future socialist states however there are
some fundamental agreements ; the state can do good and help problems in
society , they disagree that the state should be minimal , all three strands agree
that the state is a reflection of the economic system and serves those who have the
greatest stake in the economy. Greatest agreement between SD and third way ,
they agree that the capitalist state can be utilised to do good and that capitalism
creates problems and the state should be ready to intervene . Crossland and
giddens both saw the need for greater state public spending in health and
education
Disagreement ( how to achieve socialism )
● Disagreement between revolutionary and SD. Revolutionary marxists argue that
the state cannot be understood separate from the economic structure of society ,
the state emerges from the class system , it defends and maintains and defends
oppression and exploitation . Classic marxist view is expressed in the communist
manifesto : ‘ the executive of the modern state is but a common committee for
managing the common affairs of the whole bourgeoisie’ , Engels believed that the
modern state is a capitalist machine. Universal suffrage and competitive elections
are a facade , in order to build socialism proletariat need to overthrow bourgeoisie
through revolution
● Social democrats on the other hand believe that the state allows all social classes
to exercise influence , they believe that evolution would be the cause of socialism
and this is inevitable , beatrice webb ‘ the inevitability of gradualism’ . the
progressive extension of the franchise would eventually place power in the hands
of the numerically dominant class , the working class. Revolutionaries disagree
with this , in order for socialists to respond successfully to electoral pressures ,
they've been forced to water down their ideas , as capitalism has developed , the
electoral strength of the urban manual workforce has declined
● Crossland believes that socialist parties enter politics they will improve capitalism
→ atlee gov 1945 , believe that capitalism will be humanised and socialism could
co exist with improved capitalism. Revolutionary believe that this merely prolongs
capitalism and creates false consciousness .
