Socialism - Socialism is a political and economic theory developed in opposition to
the excessive individualism, competition and inequality of capitalism that arose after
the Industrial Revolution.
Human Nature: Revolutionary Socialists
Overall – view is optimistic – humans are naturally altruistic, fraternal and cooperative
– but all of this has been distorted by capitalism, which has installed a false idea of
consciousness
Marx/Engels: Key work- The Communist Manifesto
- Human nature is inherently fraternal and altruistic – but was contaminated by
capitalism
- Capitalism has made humans ‘selfish, ruthless and greedy’
- Human nature is a dynamic product of history
- False consciousness will be eradicated through a revolution – which will restore
humans to their human nature
- Individuals must therefore reach class consciousness
- Viewed Hobbes’ view of human nature as being inherently selfish absurd – his
view is an ideological illusion and a product of commodity fetishism – people act
selfishly as a result of the system and capitalism, not because human nature
has conditioned them that way – selfishness and greed are not immutable
human characteristics
Rosa Luxemburg: Key works: The Accumulation of Capital/ Reform or Revolution?
- There is still evidence of fraternity and altruism in working class communities
- Agreed with Marx that capitalism has distorted human nature
- Humans are imperfect
- For this reason – Luxemburg challenged Marx’ belief in the dictatorship of the
proletariat – after the revolution, she wanted democracy in order to avoid
tyranny
- Revolution, not evolution, will bring humanity back to its true qualities
Human Nature: Social Democracy
Anthony Crosland: Key work - The Future Of Socialism
- Believed human nature had a powerful sense of fairness and an innate objection
to huge inequalities of outcome
- Human nature is cooperative and rational
- Also believes in the idea of common humanity
, - Inequalities hinder social progression and the natural human instinct is to
ensure minimal inequality – human nature objects huge inequalities
Human Nature: Democratic Socialism
Beatrice Webb: founding member of the Fabian society + helped write clause IV of the
Labour Party – state-controlled nationalisation + not control of workers
- Poverty and inequality continue to depress human potential + fosters greater
competition that widens inequality
- Capitalism has corrupted human nature throughout the years- it has damaged
the human psyche
- Bleakest view of human nature – believed the working class were intellectually
inferior and required guidance from the state – paternal figures
Human Nature: Third way socialism
Anthony Giddens: New Labour Policies
- Humans are reflexive + capable of agency – human nature is socially intertwined
because it has the capability to adapt
- Human nature has been changed by changing socio-economic conditions
- Pro-fairness instinct is still present but now competes with sharpened sense of
individual aspiration
- Individualism competes with empathy
Society: Revolutionary Socialists
Marx/Engels:
- As a result of capitalism, society is a class struggle
- Impact of capitalism was destructive + dissolved meaningful relationships and
sentiments that held society together
- Religion hinders social progression – spiritual beliefs act as a painkiller for the
deep-rooted societal problems, it is the ‘opium of the masses’
- Capitalism has created an unfair society
- Society is shaped by economic factors – historical materialism – economic
factors are the driving force of all changing events.
- Society has been shaped by the ruling class – the bourgeoise – they do this by
taking the surplus value + alienating workers (proletariat) from the fruits of their
labour, making them blind to their subjugation
- The superstructure vs the economic base – the superstructure (political and
legal institutions) serves to maintain + legitimise the economic base that
exploits the proletariat in society – reinforcing the rule of the working class
the excessive individualism, competition and inequality of capitalism that arose after
the Industrial Revolution.
Human Nature: Revolutionary Socialists
Overall – view is optimistic – humans are naturally altruistic, fraternal and cooperative
– but all of this has been distorted by capitalism, which has installed a false idea of
consciousness
Marx/Engels: Key work- The Communist Manifesto
- Human nature is inherently fraternal and altruistic – but was contaminated by
capitalism
- Capitalism has made humans ‘selfish, ruthless and greedy’
- Human nature is a dynamic product of history
- False consciousness will be eradicated through a revolution – which will restore
humans to their human nature
- Individuals must therefore reach class consciousness
- Viewed Hobbes’ view of human nature as being inherently selfish absurd – his
view is an ideological illusion and a product of commodity fetishism – people act
selfishly as a result of the system and capitalism, not because human nature
has conditioned them that way – selfishness and greed are not immutable
human characteristics
Rosa Luxemburg: Key works: The Accumulation of Capital/ Reform or Revolution?
- There is still evidence of fraternity and altruism in working class communities
- Agreed with Marx that capitalism has distorted human nature
- Humans are imperfect
- For this reason – Luxemburg challenged Marx’ belief in the dictatorship of the
proletariat – after the revolution, she wanted democracy in order to avoid
tyranny
- Revolution, not evolution, will bring humanity back to its true qualities
Human Nature: Social Democracy
Anthony Crosland: Key work - The Future Of Socialism
- Believed human nature had a powerful sense of fairness and an innate objection
to huge inequalities of outcome
- Human nature is cooperative and rational
- Also believes in the idea of common humanity
, - Inequalities hinder social progression and the natural human instinct is to
ensure minimal inequality – human nature objects huge inequalities
Human Nature: Democratic Socialism
Beatrice Webb: founding member of the Fabian society + helped write clause IV of the
Labour Party – state-controlled nationalisation + not control of workers
- Poverty and inequality continue to depress human potential + fosters greater
competition that widens inequality
- Capitalism has corrupted human nature throughout the years- it has damaged
the human psyche
- Bleakest view of human nature – believed the working class were intellectually
inferior and required guidance from the state – paternal figures
Human Nature: Third way socialism
Anthony Giddens: New Labour Policies
- Humans are reflexive + capable of agency – human nature is socially intertwined
because it has the capability to adapt
- Human nature has been changed by changing socio-economic conditions
- Pro-fairness instinct is still present but now competes with sharpened sense of
individual aspiration
- Individualism competes with empathy
Society: Revolutionary Socialists
Marx/Engels:
- As a result of capitalism, society is a class struggle
- Impact of capitalism was destructive + dissolved meaningful relationships and
sentiments that held society together
- Religion hinders social progression – spiritual beliefs act as a painkiller for the
deep-rooted societal problems, it is the ‘opium of the masses’
- Capitalism has created an unfair society
- Society is shaped by economic factors – historical materialism – economic
factors are the driving force of all changing events.
- Society has been shaped by the ruling class – the bourgeoise – they do this by
taking the surplus value + alienating workers (proletariat) from the fruits of their
labour, making them blind to their subjugation
- The superstructure vs the economic base – the superstructure (political and
legal institutions) serves to maintain + legitimise the economic base that
exploits the proletariat in society – reinforcing the rule of the working class
