Socialism
Provenance of key thinkers:
Karl Marx (1818-1883) - Marx lived during the height of the Industrial Revolution, having
been born in Germany and, after being exiled due to his political views, spent time in
England. His observations of the mistreatment of the working class by the bourgeoisie - in
the form of awful working conditions and pay which did not even guarantee survival - gave
rise to his belief that there would be a climax in the form of revolution. Also saw the French
revolution, which inspired this belief.
Friedrich Engels (1820-1895) - Engels lived during the height of the industrial revolution:
during his time in both Germany - his country of birth, France, and England, he was able to
witness the brutal exploitation of the working class by the bourgeoisie, in the form of
negligible wages and fatally poor working conditions.
Rosa Luxemburg (1871-1919) - Luxemburg lived in a German society which, following the
pattern of other Western societies, had seen a vast increase in the size of the electorate. The
working class could now access the political system in a manner which would have been
unprecedented in Marx’ time especially due to wide enfranchisement - one might argue that
this progression was actually a concession made by the ruling class to quell the threat of
rebellion. She was a founding member of the German Communist Party (KPD). Weimar
Germany also one of the most democratic in the world at the time, which influenced her
views.
Beatrice Webb (1858-1943) - Beatrice Webb was active in the ‘Fabian Society’, which was an
organisation committed to evolutionary socialism via reforms made at Westminster. These
reforms - specifically that of the Parliament Act of 1911 - allowed for an expansion of the
electorate to include working class people. She took advantage of this, drafting Clause IV of
the Labour constitution and committing labour to establishing ‘common ownership’ of the
economy through the existing political system. She saw the 1917 Russian revolution due to
Marxism/Leninism and how revolution and power corrupted people.
Anthony Crosland (1918-1977) - Crosland was a Labour Party Politician, who served as a
Cabinet minister during the Labour governments of the 1960s and 1970s. His book, ‘The
Future of Socialism’, observed that capitalism had been changed after Western societies
moved to adopt Keynesian state managed capitalism post-WW2. He also observed an
emergence of a new ‘managerial class’ whose perspectives were different to those of
traditional workers.
Anthony Giddens (1938-) - Gidden’s work was published at a time in which ‘post-Fordist’
capitalist societies were emerging. Fordist capitalism, during the mid 1900s, had spawned
tightly knit urban communities based on uniformity of income and employment. Post-fordist
capitalism, which involved the decline of heavy industry, fragmented such communities and
left individuals feeling alienated. Giddens also saw a society in which the free market, whilst
also giving rise to the corrosion of community, allowed for the empowerment of individuals.
, Human Nature
Socialism:
Optimistic - confident that human beings are destined for a vastly improved world, both
individually and generally. Optimistic about what human nature can become.
Fraternal - naturally inclined towards generosity and concern for others
Rational - socialists believe human beings are innately logical and rational, but also believe
we can act both reasonably and collaboratively, thus making rational decisions more likely.
Hence education important so public can realise
Communal - Socialists argue that we naturally seek to be part of a community – such as a
club, school or trade union – rather than relentlessly seeking ‘autonomy’ and individual
independence.
Malleable - Humans do not have their nature defined at birth, and can easily be corrupted
by their environment.
Revolutionary Socialist Thinkers:
Marx and Engels - Capitalism corrupted human nature, encouraging selfishness, ruthlessness
and greed. Did argue that human nature was originally cooperative, selfless and fraternal.
Eventually rising against capitalism would result in a “dictatorship of the proletariat”, which
would develop a socialist state and allow human nature to return to being naturally
cooperative. Capitalism installed a “false consciousness” of selfishness.
Lenin - Believed needed Vanguard (small, elite, educated and ruthless officials) to lead a
revolutionary securing of power to take control of decisions as people corrupted by
capitalism so wouldn’t quite yet understand the correct course of action. (like above but
more severe).
Rosa Luxemburg - Believed revolution inevitable, and would happen spontaneously after
class consciousness had gradually been brought about through proletariat politically
advocating for more rights. Then, a new democracy should be set up underpinned by
common ownership that would allow prole dictation of politics largely.
Democratic Socialist Thinkers:
Beatrice Webb - Gradual economic change, based on the benefits seen from increasing
enfranchisement etc, is the best way to influence human nature, as revolution is chaotic and
not the best way to go about things. Even without violent revolution, people were showing
their preference for collective action by establishing new co-operatives and unions. The
economic and moral case for socialism can rationally persuade even the existing parties to
support socialist aims. Also believed society to be universally supportive of one another
(welfare state).
Social Democratic Thinkers:
