SOCIALISM

• Socialists have an optimistic view of human nature.

  • Humans are willing to share and seek equality
  • Humans want to be part of a community
• Society:

  • A person is the product of the society they grow up in.
  • Capitalism leads to unequal society.
  • Different classes aren’t cooperative because of competition
• Perfect society:

  Fraternity, cooperation, solidarity, equality of outcome.
• A socialist state must be strong, run the economy and control inequality.
• Revolutionary socialists beliefs about the state:

  • Marx - state will whither away
  • Luxemburg - Get rid of the state
• Evolutionary socialists believe in the expansion of the state.
• Third Way Socialism:

  • no state intervention
  • state managed social democracy
  • e.g. spending tax to help poor
• Economy- STATE CONTROLLED

  • a stable economy meets everyone’s needs
  • redistribution of wealth
  • society is determined by the economy
  • common ownership
• revolutionary view on capitalism: overthrow it
• Evolutionary view of capitalism: Regulation and state control
• Marx view of capitalism:

  • creates class conflict
  • proletariat are Exploited and will rise above
• Third way on capitalism - embraces free market
• Collectivism

  • people prefer to live in social groups tied together by fraternity
  • Eg. USSR 1929 Industries nationalisEd and land collectivised
• Equality

  • Humans will live harmoniously if they have the same opportunity
• Equality

  • social inequality will cause revolt (Russia 1917)
  • private property generates conflict