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Notes summarising key areas of socialism
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SOCIALISM: - Equality ofCollectivism: opportunity:
Everyone has an
- Collectivism maintains that humans Equality: equal chance to
can achieve their political, social and - The pursuit of social equality or make the best of
economic objectives more effectively equality of outcome is the their abilities.
through collective action. fundamental value of socialism. - Supported by the
- It also suggests that society can only - Social equality: The equal Third Way.
be transformed by collective distribution of economic - Rejected by
endeavours. rewards such as income and Marxists and
Arguments in favour of collectivism: wealth. Social
- Human nature: humans are social - Egalitarianism: A theory or Democrats.
creatures with natural tendency to - Universal
practice designed to remove or
work together by the binds of reduce inequalities and ensure Welfare:
fraternity. everyone has a fair chance. Inevitably,
- Society: The interests of the group Revolutionary Socialists: human society is
should take priority over individual - The state: demand absolute unequal. Yet all
self-interest. individuals have
equality, the abolition of private
- People are defined by the social an equal
property and replacement with
groups they belong to, so membership minimum
common ownership of all means
of a community offers fulfilment. standard of living
of production.
- The economy: Collective endeavour guaranteed by the
Social Democrats:
utilises the economic potential of state.
- Economy: Call for the relative
society more efficiently than wasteful - Supported by
equalising of society within a
competitive individual behaviour. reformed capitalist economy via Social
- The state: Collective action via state welfare measures, government Democrats.
ensures a fairer distribution of goods spending and progressive Rejected by
and services than free-market forces. taxation. Marxists and The
Collectivism in practice: - Human Nature: material Third Way.
- Marxists: Advocated collective action incentives continue to play an
based on the principle of ‘from each Social Class and
important role in human
according to ability, to each according motivation, emphasis in equality Workers Control:
to need’. of opportunity. - Social class
- Revisionist Socialists: accept some Arguments in favour of equality: explains the most
degree of free-market capitalism and - Ensures fairness. important
pursue collectivism in a more limited - Reinforces collectivism, divisions in
way. cooperation and solidarity. society and the
Common Humanity: - Satisfies basic human needs. idea of workers’
- Socialists see humans as social Common Ownership: control has
creatures with a tendency for - Argue that common ownership influenced
cooperation, sociability and Marxism.
of the means of production
rationality. Social Class:
ensures that all can participate
- Believe that
- The individual can’t be understood and benefit.
members of a
without reference to society, because - Argue that wealth is created by
social class share
human behaviour is determined by communal effort so it should be
similar outlooks
people’s place in society. owned collectively.
and aims.
Arguments in favour of Common Humanity: The Nature of Equality:
- Social classes are
- Cooperative effort: humans are - Equality of outcome: People’s
therefore
naturally inclined to work together for experience of society should be
principal agents
the common good because the same.
of change.
cooperative effort: - Supported by Fundamentalists.
Workers’ Control:
- Produces the best results for society. - Rejected by Social Democrats
- The complete or
- Enables people to form connections and the Third Way.
partial ownership
based on respect, understanding and - Absolute Equality: everyone
of an enterprise
mutual support. who contributes to society will
by employees.
- Is superior to capitalist competition, receive the same rewards.
- Control of the
- Humans can be driven by a desire to - Supported by Marxists.
state by the
contribute to the betterment of society. - Rejected by Social Democrats
workers.
and the Third Way.
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