Notes on the key themes of ideologies (conservatism, socialism and liberalism)
Includes key thinkers' quotes and their views on the key themes of each strand
The different strands of each ideology
Collectivism
- Socialists believe humans are social creatures who work collectively to solve
issues rather than individuals who only strive for self-interest. People share
commonality and fraternity that binds them together
- They do not accept that human nature is fixed at birth but rather something that
has been taught by the social group in which you are raised.
- This means that humans are capable of change and thus a utopian society can be
created by teaching people how to act.
- They criticise private property as it is unjust since many people are involved in the
creation so they should share it. Private property makes people greedy and
materialistic, causing competition and a lack of morality. It is divisive as it causes
conflict between people.
- Marxists believe collectivism is achieved through the abolition of private
property, where all property is collectivised and owned by the state. This results in
communism where there is no private property or class division.
- Social democrats believe collectivist goals should be promoted via progressive
taxation, welfare, and public services ie a mixed economy to achieve social
justice. However, capitalism is retained, though its inequalities are reduced but not
gone.
Common humanity
- Socialists believe in cooperation to achieve mutual benefits rather than
competition that produces conflicts.
- Socialists tend to have a positive view of human nature and think we are naturally
inclined towards social cooperation.
- Cooperation rewards people for hard work on a deeper moral level than the
material rewards of capitalism, people will be motivated to aid the ‘common
good’.
Equality
- Socialists are committed to equality/egalitarianism, the equality of opportunity,
legal equality, but also social equality and equality of outcome.
- They believe social equality reinstates the justice and fairness which is removed in
competition and the selfish nature of capitalism. Each person plays a role in
society and should receive equal rewards.
- Equality underpins community and cooperation as it strengthens a feeling of
solidarity in society.
- Socialists believe that ‘need satisfaction’ is the key element of freedom, not acting
as one chooses. Marx; “from each according to his ability, to each according to his
needs” – meaning that because everyone contributes to society they should have
their needs satisfied too.
- There is disagreement on to what extent equality should exist. Marxists and
communists believe in total equality where there’s no private property and the
state or society distributes everything according to needs. Common ownership
where the means of production are owned by everyone means they all benefit
from the wealth of society.
- Social democrats believe in the reduction of inequality through progressive
taxation and welfare. They want to tame capitalism. Marxists would reject
, equality of opportunity as it does not address the fundamental inequalities in
capitalism and want equality of outcome.
Social class
- Marx and Engels believed that the “history of all hitherto societies is the history of
class conflict”. Social classes can be distinguished by the bourgeoise who own the
means of production, and the proletariat who work it.
- The bourgeoise will always exploit the proletariat causing inequality and unrest in
society. Under the exploitative capitalist system the workers are alienated from
their products and the interests of the classes conflict
- Through a revolution, Marxists believe that they should overthrow the bourgeoise
and recreate society equally.
- Social democrats don’t believe a revolution will solve this and improving social
conditions is better.
Common ownership
- The workers and society own the means of production, instead of the bourgeoise.
Ensures that the needs of many override those of the few.
- The original clause IV of the labour constitution committed to common
ownership, meaning they expanded the role of the public sector.
- The state can allocate resources more equally than the private sector ie the NHS.
State
- According to Marx and Lenin, the state’s function is to maintain the oppression
and exploitation of capitalism – it is a biased and bourgeois state.
- Webb and the Fabians saw the state as a tool for achieving socialism, through
liberal capitalism, political education and action there could be a gradual move to
socialism. They thought education would lead to people seeing the good of
socialism, electing a socialist government and using legislation to bring change.
Revolutionary socialism
- The idea that socialism can only be brought about by the overthrowing of the
existing political and social structures.
- This transformation lies in the hands of the proletariat who, with class
consciousness, will realise their common interest and overhaul the system.
- After a short lived dictatorship of the proletariat and the collapse of capitalism,
class conflict will end. The state will also collapse as there will be no need for it –
Engels “when freedom exists there will be no state”
Evolutionary socialism
- Socialism that seeks a transformation of the economic structure of society,
through parliamentary action.
- Democratic socialists endorse the parliamentary route where a socialist
government with a mandate can implement a programme of nationalisation,
centralisation and cooperatives run by the workers.
- Social democrats advocate for gradual change, humanising the economic system
and finding a middle way.
- The labour party has been associated with a gradual approach to change as well as
the Fabian society. The Blair/brown era achieved many left-wing objectives ie a
minimum wage, expansion of worker’s rights and a welfare to work system.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller majatym. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £3.99. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
