Socialism
Revolutionary:
Key thinkers: Marx and Engels
Karl Marx (1818-1883) Lenin
Friedrich Engels (1820-1895) Luxemburg
Rosa Luxemburg (1871-1919)
Beatrice Webb (1858-1943) Marxism:
Anthony Crosland (1918-1977) Critique of capitalism
Anthony Giddens (1938- present) ‘inevitability of revolution’
from socialism to communism
Summary:
Human nature: Marxism-Leninism (Orthodox communism):
Optimistic Pre-emptive revolution
Fraternal Vanguardism
Rational The Luxemburg version
Communal
Malleable Evolutionary:
Webb
Society: Crosland
Existential Giddens
Collectivist
Class-focused Democratic Socialism:
Egalitarian Capitalism: a renewed critique
The existing state: a critique of Marx
Economy: Gradualism
Fundamental
Redistributive Social democracy:
Ambivalent about capitalism Bernstein's legacy
Interventionist Class revisited
The mixed economy
The state: Keynesianism
Rejection of anarchism Public spending not public ownership
Rejection of ‘medieval’ states Welfarism
An enlarged state
Third Way:
Giddens
Neo-revisionism
Triangulation
The remixed economy
Cultural equality
Communitarianism
Redistribution of political power
Socialism or liberalism?
, Human nature: Rational:
Naturally logical and rational.
We act both reasonably and collaboratively,
Optimistic: thus making ‘sensible’decisions.
Human beings are destined for improved world,
both individually and generally. Webb/Crosland:
Earlier socialists were depicted as Utopian The advantage enjoyed by human beings was
socialists, whose ‘model’ communities reflected their capacity to collectively plan progress in a
their own vision of an ideal society. methodical manner.
Webb: Webb:
“A better tomorrow is conceivable, achievable and Pointed to ‘the great flaw’ in liberalism: namely
probable.” its laissez faire approach to economic and social
activity.
Disagreements: Liberals ‘generally hope for a bright future,
Marx would sneer at ‘utopianism,’ predicting instead of resolving to plan one’.
that communism would be a secular paradise, An ‘enlightened’ state bureaucracy – driven by
where serious problems were banished and highly educated people with socialist leanings –
where human beings were virtuous and wise. could ‘gradually but inevitably’ guide us to an
improving life.
Reject:
Any sort of notion that human beings should Communal:
merely accept their fate or be fearful of the Fraternal and communal.
future. We naturally seek to be part of a community –
such as school, club or trade union – rather
Fraternal: than relentlessly seeking ‘autonomy’ and
Fraternal: brotherly, and comradely, naturally individual independence.
inclined towards generosity and concern for
others. Webb:
Co-operative and collaborative: regarding each “We are not lone wolves… we forever seek out the
other as quasi-siblings rather than as fierce company of the pack.”
rivals.
Luxemburg:
Luxemburg: Notion of ‘standing together’ with those of
“Our instinct is not to win but to share… and similar interest.
should we be fortunate enough to be on the winning Creates a sense of virtue and well-being and was
side, our ultimate instinct is to share the fruits of also an engine of historic social change; the
our victory with others.” catalyst that would produce a ‘spontaneous’
social order.
Giddens:
High earners in a capitalist society could be Marx:
persuaded that their success should financially The final stage of human development –
help the less fortunate through taxation. communism - involved individuals relegating
their own selfish interests.
, Human nature:
Malleable:
Karl Marx’s claim that human nature would be
gradually ‘restored’ (following the fall of
capitalism).
Human nature is changeable ‘plasticity’.
Human nature is repairable – even perfectible-
through bold socialist reform.
Marx:
Human nature had been ‘contaminated’ by
forces beyond the control of most individuals.
Giddens:
Governments should be not just ‘tough on
crime’ but ‘tough on the causes of crime’ –
crime is not attributable to wicked individuals.
Revolutionary:
Key thinkers: Marx and Engels
Karl Marx (1818-1883) Lenin
Friedrich Engels (1820-1895) Luxemburg
Rosa Luxemburg (1871-1919)
Beatrice Webb (1858-1943) Marxism:
Anthony Crosland (1918-1977) Critique of capitalism
Anthony Giddens (1938- present) ‘inevitability of revolution’
from socialism to communism
Summary:
Human nature: Marxism-Leninism (Orthodox communism):
Optimistic Pre-emptive revolution
Fraternal Vanguardism
Rational The Luxemburg version
Communal
Malleable Evolutionary:
Webb
Society: Crosland
Existential Giddens
Collectivist
Class-focused Democratic Socialism:
Egalitarian Capitalism: a renewed critique
The existing state: a critique of Marx
Economy: Gradualism
Fundamental
Redistributive Social democracy:
Ambivalent about capitalism Bernstein's legacy
Interventionist Class revisited
The mixed economy
The state: Keynesianism
Rejection of anarchism Public spending not public ownership
Rejection of ‘medieval’ states Welfarism
An enlarged state
Third Way:
Giddens
Neo-revisionism
Triangulation
The remixed economy
Cultural equality
Communitarianism
Redistribution of political power
Socialism or liberalism?
, Human nature: Rational:
Naturally logical and rational.
We act both reasonably and collaboratively,
Optimistic: thus making ‘sensible’decisions.
Human beings are destined for improved world,
both individually and generally. Webb/Crosland:
Earlier socialists were depicted as Utopian The advantage enjoyed by human beings was
socialists, whose ‘model’ communities reflected their capacity to collectively plan progress in a
their own vision of an ideal society. methodical manner.
Webb: Webb:
“A better tomorrow is conceivable, achievable and Pointed to ‘the great flaw’ in liberalism: namely
probable.” its laissez faire approach to economic and social
activity.
Disagreements: Liberals ‘generally hope for a bright future,
Marx would sneer at ‘utopianism,’ predicting instead of resolving to plan one’.
that communism would be a secular paradise, An ‘enlightened’ state bureaucracy – driven by
where serious problems were banished and highly educated people with socialist leanings –
where human beings were virtuous and wise. could ‘gradually but inevitably’ guide us to an
improving life.
Reject:
Any sort of notion that human beings should Communal:
merely accept their fate or be fearful of the Fraternal and communal.
future. We naturally seek to be part of a community –
such as school, club or trade union – rather
Fraternal: than relentlessly seeking ‘autonomy’ and
Fraternal: brotherly, and comradely, naturally individual independence.
inclined towards generosity and concern for
others. Webb:
Co-operative and collaborative: regarding each “We are not lone wolves… we forever seek out the
other as quasi-siblings rather than as fierce company of the pack.”
rivals.
Luxemburg:
Luxemburg: Notion of ‘standing together’ with those of
“Our instinct is not to win but to share… and similar interest.
should we be fortunate enough to be on the winning Creates a sense of virtue and well-being and was
side, our ultimate instinct is to share the fruits of also an engine of historic social change; the
our victory with others.” catalyst that would produce a ‘spontaneous’
social order.
Giddens:
High earners in a capitalist society could be Marx:
persuaded that their success should financially The final stage of human development –
help the less fortunate through taxation. communism - involved individuals relegating
their own selfish interests.
, Human nature:
Malleable:
Karl Marx’s claim that human nature would be
gradually ‘restored’ (following the fall of
capitalism).
Human nature is changeable ‘plasticity’.
Human nature is repairable – even perfectible-
through bold socialist reform.
Marx:
Human nature had been ‘contaminated’ by
forces beyond the control of most individuals.
Giddens:
Governments should be not just ‘tough on
crime’ but ‘tough on the causes of crime’ –
crime is not attributable to wicked individuals.
