To what extent do Socialists agree on human nature
Introduction:
Point Evidence + Explanation
All socialists have a ● All socialists have a broadly optimistic view of human nature. Not only do they believe that humans are naturally co-operative and want to
broadly optimistic be part of a wider community and society, rather than being individualistic and selfish, they also believe this can be very successful. This
view of human nature contrasts with many conservative and liberal thinkers, who view human nature with much more pessimism. Many conservatives
emphasise the fallibility of human nature, whilst other conservatives and liberals see humans as individualistic, often ruthlessly so.
● The fact that socialists believe in a state controlled economy and big role for state decision making shows they put a lot of faith in human
nature. Beatrice Webb, for example, believed that highly trained bureaucrats would be able to organise society and the economy very
effectively, whilst Marx and Engels also supported a ‘dictatorship of the proleteriat’, which they believed would be effective at serving the
interests of the working class. Webb’s ‘inevitability of gradualism’ also believes that in a democracy, voters will inevitably know what’s
good for them and choose socialism.
● She argued ‘secure for the workers by hands or by brains the full fruit of their industry’ – Beatrice Webb
● Though this is certainly not a point agreed by all socialists, the Third Way also believes in the power of the private sector (and therefore
individuals in it) to benefit the economy and society as a whole.
● The Labour government under Prime Minister Clement Attlee established the National Health Service (NHS) in 1948, providing universal
healthcare access to all citizens regardless of their ability to pay. The creation of the NHS reflects a positive view of human nature, as it
embodies the belief that individuals are inherently compassionate and willing to contribute to the well-being of others. By providing
healthcare as a universal public service, the policy recognizes the collective responsibility to ensure everyone's health and welfare.
● The Labour government under Prime Minister Tony Blair introduced the National Minimum Wage in 1999, setting a legally enforceable
minimum wage floor to protect low-paid workers from exploitation. The introduction of the National Minimum Wage reflects a belief in the
inherent dignity and worth of individuals in the workforce. The policy acknowledges that people deserve fair compensation for their labor
and aims to prevent exploitation and poverty wages, demonstrating a commitment to social justice and equality.
All socialists see ● Socialists believe that human nature is malleable and can improved in comparison to how it is under capitalism.
human nature as ● Marx and Engels believed that capitalism had instilled a ‘false consciousness’ in workers that was far removed from mankind’s original
malleable nature. They believed that class consciousness and a socialist economic system and society had the power to remove this false
consciousness and revive the innate cooperative, selfless and fraternal nature of mankind
● "The dominant ideas of a society are the ideas of the ruling class." – Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, The German Ideology
● ‘The history of all hitherto societies is the history of class conflict’ – Marx and Engels
● Marx said history involves ‘a continuous transformation of human nature’
● Social democrats and the Third Way also saw the possibility for human improvement in the emphasis they put on education. As Secretary
of State for Education, Anthony Crosland supported the introduction of comprehensive education, which would not only improve
opportunity for all pupils, but also help to break down class divisions and foster unity across society.
● ‘If it’s the last thing I do, I’m going to destroy every grammar school in England, Wales and Northern Ireland’ – Anthony Crosland
, ● The Blair government introduced education reforms aimed at raising standards and promoting social mobility, including the introduction of
literacy and numeracy hours in primary schools, expansion of early years education, and investment in educational resources and
infrastructure. These education reforms reflect a belief in the malleability of human potential, recognizing that individuals can develop and
achieve success with the right support and opportunities. By investing in education and early intervention, the policy aimed to provide a
nurturing environment for children to learn, grow, and reach their full potential.
Socialists disagree ● There is significant disagreement between earlier socialists (Marx and Engels, Rosa Luxemburg and democratic socialists) and later
over human nature socialists (social democrats and the Third Way) over how human nature under capitalism is viewed.
under capitalism ● Earlier socialists see human nature in a capitalist society as greedy and selfish. As a result, they view it as necessary to completely
change the economic system to a socialist system based on cooperation and serving the many rather than the few.
● ‘Capitalism promoted exploitation, alienation and the oppression of one class by another’ – Marx and Engels
● The Labour government under Prime Minister Clement Attlee nationalized key industries such as coal, steel, and railways after World War
II. This involved bringing these industries under state ownership and control, aiming to ensure public ownership of the means of production
and distribution. Nationalization of key industries represented a direct challenge to capitalist principles of private ownership and free
markets. Labour believed that state ownership would lead to more equitable distribution of resources and greater control over strategic
sectors of the economy.
● By contrast, later socialists believe that the capitalist system can be highly fruitful and benefit society. For them, therefore, human nature
under capitalism isn’t as terrible as Marx suggests and there isn’t a false consciousness.
● Though Starmer has pledged to nationalise rail and energy, he has scrapped the other four planned nationalisations that Corbyn’s Labour
Party supported. In particular, Starmer has pledged to reform the NHS and cut waiting times by making greater use of private providers
and being ruthless with ‘bureaucratic nonsense’. This is very similar to New Labour, which introduced Private Finance Initiatives (PFIs), in
which private contractors were used to help deliver public services, including the NHS.
Socialists disagree ● Different socialists place different levels of emphasis on the economic system to change human nature.
over the importance ● Earlier socialists, including revolutionary socialists, see capitalism as the root cause of problems with human nature and believe that
of the economic completely uprooting capitalism in favour of a socialist economic system based on common ownership is the only way to nurture humans’
system in shaping positive, cooperative nature.
human nature ● ‘The enemy of socialism remains in our own country’ – Luxemburg
● "The proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains. They have a world to win. Workers of all countries, unite!" - Karl Marx, Communist
Manifesto
● By contrast, social democrats and Third Way thinkers argue that the economy should remain mostly capitalist, but see the possibility for
improvement in human nature despite this. Anthony Giddens, for example, argued that in an era of free market, globalised capitalism, the
state would need to support a modernised education system as well as community in order to counteract a very individualised economic
system.
● One of Blair's most famous mantras was "Education, education, education," which highlighted his commitment to improving educational
