Explain and analyse three ways in which socialist thinkers have viewed and
analysed equality [9 marks]
One way in which socialist thinkers have viewed the concept of equality is the
traditional socialist view that equality could be achieved through common
ownership. As Marx and Engels argued in the Communist Manifesto, following a
revolution, all private property and the means of production would be brought into
common ownership. Marx and Engels argued this would bring equality as wealth
inequality would no longer cause tension and exploitation between social
classes. They therefore argued that equality could not be achieved in a capitalist
society.
Another socialist view of equality is Rosa Luxembourg’s argument that equality
could only be achieved through a revolution. In her work Reform or Revolution?,
Luxembourg criticised many revisionist socialist thinkers who believed that social
equality could be achieved through the democratic process, instead arguing that
as the ruling economic class would always dominate the political system, it would
not be in their interests to improve conditions for the working classes.
Luxembourg therefore argued that only through a socialist revolution where the
working classes took control could social equality be achieved.
One other socialist view of equality is the argument put forward by Third Way
Socialists that providing equality of opportunity is key to creating a more equal
society under capitalism. Third Way thinker Anthony Giddens argued that
capitalism is the most efficient economic model to generate wealth, however, it
inevitably comes with unequal outcomes. However, through taxation, social
services, particularly education, should be improved to ensure equality of
opportunity for all, as a Marxist system of wealth redistribution is not fitting to a
twenty-first century society.
Mark: 8/9
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