Socialism

• Karl Marx 1818-83

  • key texts
  • human nature
  • the state
  • economy
  • society 


  marx wrote the communist manifesto with engles which underpins much socialist thinking.
• Beatrice Webb -1858 - 1943

  • key texts
  • human nature
  • the state
  • economy
  • society 


  Supported the state to spread socialism

  • believed that the state is an enactor of capitalism
  • the capitalist economy is chaotic and should be replaced by common ownership
• Rosa Luxemburg - 1871 - 1919

  • key texts
  • human nature
  • the state
  • economy
  • society

  Assassinated during the war for political uprising

  • still suggested there was evidence of altruism in human nature
  • capitalist state must be destroyed
  • economy must be overcome by workers control
  • aims must be achieved through revolution
• Anthony Crosland 1918-77

  • key texts
  • human nature
  • the state
  • economy
  • society

  Wrote the future of socialism [1956] taking a less radical approach with labour - sec of state for foreign affairs

  • held a positive view of human nature
  • appreciated state for change - allowed for nationalisation 1945, NHS
  • in favour of a mixed economy to secure equality
  • in favour of a large welfare state
• Anthony Giddens 1938

  • key texts
  • human nature
  • the state
  • economy
  • society

  wrote, the thrid way : renewal of socialist democracy [1998]. this introduced the third way into the political spectrum

  • human instinct if fairness is forced to compete with aspiration
  • state should be improved and used for equality
  • promotes a neo-lib economy, which focuses on nationalisation and deregulation
  • equality of opportunity over outcome
• 'workers of the world, unite!. you have nothing to lose but your chains' Marx
• 'nature still obstinately refuses to cooperate by making the rich people innately superior to the poor people' Webb
• 'most of those bougoursie women who act like lionesses in the struggle against the male prerogative would trot like docile lambs in the camp of conservative and clerical reaction if they had suffrage' luxemburg
• 'nationalisation... does not in itself engender greater equality' Crossland
• 'an attempt to transcend both old-style social democracy and neo-liberalism' giddens