Edexcel A Level Politics - Core Political Ideas essay plans
Based on advanced information for 2022 A Level exams.
From an A* student.
Essay question and plan.
To what extent do socialists have conflicting views over how the economy should operate?
You must use appropriate thinkers you have studied to support your answer and consider both
sides in a balanced way.
Structure 1: Thesis/antithesis
Thesis Antithesis/disagreement
Workers’ control -> Revolutionary socialism, Social democracy -> Called for nationalisation
Democratic socialism of key utilities that would be inefficient to
All fundamental socialists argue that capitalism privatise such as British Rail but no further
is innately exploitative and must be removed nationalisation -> market is most efficient
from the economy so that it does not generate Crosland -> removal of Clause IV of Labour
growing inequality in society. constitution and commitment to nationalisation
Marx and Engels -> violent revolution by the
proletariat to overthrow capitalism -> Third Way -> Rejected workers' control (even
dictatorship of the proletariat -> working class indirectly, through an elected government!) as
control means of production for the common 'undemocratic' in the sense that it involved
benefit of all -> mass nationalisation and extensive intervention and manipulation of the
workers’ control which would redistribute the economy by a small group of people, rather
surplus value to all workers than decisions being made by the people as a
whole.
Webb -> gradualism and evolution -> Specifically, Giddens was critical of old style
parliamentary reform and the election of social democracy characterised by top down
socialist politicians would legislate towards state ownership of the commanding heights of
socialist means leading to the end of capitalism the economy (a phrase first coined by Webb)
-> advocated for cooperative societies and
trade unions -> workers would control and
make decisions for industries aimed to improve
working conditions
Harnessing capitalism -> Revisionist socialists -> Revolutionary socialism -> capitalism is so
capitalism in the economy can be harnessed corrupt it is beyond reform -> any attempt to
and managed for the benefit of all and does not achieve socialist goals in the economy using
need to be overthrown capitalism was vulnerable to reversal and
Free market capitalism -> Third Way would not be long lasting
Markets are important for a flourishing society
because of their ‘fluidity [and their] capacity to
respond to a multitude of pricing signals and to
stimulate innovation
State managed capitalism -> Social democrats -
> using demand via Keynesian state
intervention to influence the economy and aide
economic downturns -> progressive taxation
and redistribution of income to reduce
inequality caused by innately exploitative
capitalism
Crosland -> progressive taxation to divert
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