evolutionary socialism

• What is Leninism?


  vanguard party model
• Luxemburg v Lenin


  Luxemburg critiqued Lenin's centralization, advocating mass

  participation.
• what is democratic socialism

  Western European parties pursued socialism through

  democratic means, distancing from Soviet influence
• instrumental Marxism:


  a perspective that holds that those in power intentionally create laws and social institutions that serve their own interests and keep others from becoming powerful

  Hard line position
• What is the way to end instrumental Marxism?

  for the proletariat to take control of the state for themselves and use it to bring about common ownership
• What is structural Marxism?

  posits that the state functions to serve the long-term interests of the Bourgeosie and capitalism

  Softer position

  The state is semi-autonomous
• what does structuralism suggest about the state?

  - it must be radically overturned as it will always work against socialist goals
• what did socialists in the 19th century suggest about marxism?

  socialism and the displacement of capitalism must be PRECEDED by revolution
• examples of the influence of democratic socialists:

  - post war gov led by Clement Attlee

  - Labour MP Tony Benn
• what is democratic socialism also called?

  Gradualist socialism
• what do gradualist socialists think?

  - rejecting the revolutionary politics of Marx, Lenin and Rosa

  - socialism can be achieved within the existing political system
• what is Webb's first key principal?

  - Capitalism was the principal cause of crippling poverty and demeaning inequality in society and was a corrupting force for humanity fostering unnatural levels of green
• What is Webb's second key principal?

  Neither paternalistic conservative nor philanthropy was a sustainable solution to the problems of poverty and inequality
• what is Webb's third principle (IMPORTANT)


  poverty and inequality were most likely to be eliminated through vigorous trade unionism and extensive state intervention
• what is Webb's third principle?


  Effective reforms tend to be gradual rather than revolutionary
• What group did Webb take part in and what did she help found?

  the Fabian society -> Labour party
• what report did Webb lead?

  The minority report of the poor law commission
• did Webb believe that capitalism should end?


  yes - slowly and peacefully
• what do many democratic socialists believe about revolution?

  revolution replicated many of the problems they associated with capitalism - 'upheavals marred by mayhem, violence and bloodshed' Webb
• how can democracy be a force for socialist ends?

  legal reforms
• Evidence of democratic socialism

  Labour 2019 manifesto:

  - Rail, mail, energy and water services nationalised

  - Full-fibre broadband for every house

  - National Education service
• what is the difference between democratic socialists and social democrats?

  social democrats do not support the complete eradication of capitalism
• Who is the father of social democracy?

  Eduard Bernstein
• What did Eduard Bernstein suggest had happened by the end of the 19th century?

  there had been a steady advance of the working class under capitalism
• What did Anthony Crosland suggest about public ownership?

  It had gone far enough - it was never an aim of socialism but a way to achieve it
• what did Crosland believe the true aim of socialism was?

  economic equality which can be achieved within a managed capitalist economy
• What 'new classes' emerged according to crosland?

  the managerial class and the technocrats
• How are managers different to traditional workers?

  They are not part of the proletariat but they aren't part of the bourgeoisie
• What kind of economy did Crosland argue that socialism now required?

  A mixed economy - comprising of private enterprise and private ownership alongside key services and a small number of industries owned by the state
• what did Crosland create in order to break down class divisions and ensure equality of opportunity?

  comprehensive education
• what did Crosland believe about nationalisation?

  Nationalise only key services
• what does Keynsianism and sustained growth refer to?

  managerial capitalism - allowing governments to manage or steer a capitalist economy
• what did Crosland argue that we needed instead of public ownership?


  Increased public ownership
• What government was the Welfare state established under?

  Atlee's Labour government
• what is stagflation?


  high inflation and high unemployment - in the 1970s - Keynesianism did not envisage this
• Must socialism involve the abolition of private property? YES

  Marx and Engels also believed that an economic system based on capitalism was 'historically doomed' to collapse.
• Must socialism involve the abolition of private property? YES

  Socialism's core values include equality. Private property generates inequality.
• Must socialism involve the abolition of private property? YES

  Marx, Engels and disciples like Rosa Luxemburg believed that private property (capitalism) led to exploitation and oppression of working people.
• Must socialism involve the abolition of private property? YES

  Early democratic socialists like Beatrice Webb believed public ownership to be more rational and efficient than private ownership
• Must socialism involve the abolition of private property? NO

  Socialism's core values include fraternity and cooperation. Private property promotes individualism and competition