Socialism Dichotomies

Socialism Dichotomies State Revolutionary socialism – most common and influential, derives from Marx. Socialist values cannot co-exist with capitalism, so revolution is needed to transform society and economy. Luxemburg adapted these ideas with slight disagreements, wants democracy and elections to continue post-revolution Evolutionary socialism – rather than a radical change via revolution, socialism is gradually achieved within pre-existing parliamentary structure. Socialism will emerge gradual piecemeal fashion via state.-Democratic socialism – Webb and Fabian society – influence labour party from 1900 and Attlee’s post-war government. Argued capitalism can be gradually reformed via parliament to achieve socialist state. Supported mass nationalisation and state management by socialist elites to ensure social justice -Social democracy – 1950s, Crosland, values social justice above common ownership unlike other 2. Working within existing capitalist systems through a redistributive welfare state -The Third way – 1990s, Giddens, renewal of social democracy and neo-liberal element to socialism. Inspired New labour PM Blair and Brown Revolutionary socialism -Most common and influential, derives from Marx. Socialist values cannot co-exist with capitalism, so revolution is needed to transform society and economy. Luxemburg adapted these ideas with slight disagreements, wants democracy and elections to continue post- revolution -Overthrow capitalism -Often violent -Follows the beliefs of Marx (although often adapts his theories) -Radical change – abolition of private property, overhaul of social system etc MARX believed that a revolution would occur which, after a period of ‘the dictatorship of the proletariat, would result in a classless society free from division. At this point, each would ‘give according to their ability, and receive according to their need’.-Abolish state, society and economy and replace with communism (work together and share common ownership) -State oppresses WC, reinforced by key institutions e.g. parliament, media, finance and a gradual change won’t lead to a general society because bourgeois values are firmly entrenched -Needs transformation of society – existing state must be uprooted. And replaced with new institutions e.g. China Mao -Working class politically disenfranchised – can’t vote for change -Industrialisation exploits workers – creates radical workers who seek radical action 1 / 2

-Bourgeois state will reinforce class oppression- too entrenched – must be overthrown -Humanising capitalism (like S Dems would like to) is dangerous – capitalism is destructive and must be overthrown -Total transformation of society required – radical action of this nature requires violence -Utopian socialism and Marxism -Communism – society that’s communally organised with an economy built on common ownership in which goods are held in common and available to all as needed -Marxism – an ideological and revolutionary set of ideas explaining the inevitable demise of capitalism by communism, worked with Engels -Utopian socialism – hate exploitation, greed, selfishness from capitalism, Owen and Fourier, disliked free market capitalism, propose small scale cooperative communities – very idealistic with no depth to how they would be maintained, all failed -Marxism - Karl Marx, human nature is distorted by capitalism, critiqued capitalist economy, inevitability of revolution -Economic conflict is a catalyst for historical and social development -Historical development is driven by a dialectic – chain of opposing forces – exploited and exploiters, range of phases -Luxemburg inspired by Marx, she argued proletariats struggle for reform and democracy would create consciousness needed to overthrow capitalist society -Luxemburg – disagreed with Marx and said democracy. Was needed after revolution, anticipated that communist societies would have a dictatorship unlike Marx, - Historical Materialism – theory that economic factors are driving force for changing events, economic base forms and shapes the super structure made up of culture, politics, law, religion, ideology, social consciousness.Super structure would collapse without the workers Reinforces bourgeois Most religions have a hierarchy Religion- reinforces the position of the bourgeoisie.Religion reinforces the social barriers as in many religions there are different classes. Religion according to Marx also reinforces morals such as no stealing, no sinning and encourages obeying the teachings.This makes people feel they are flawed and if they are the lower class, that ideology will make them think about their position and blame themselves, therefore making them work harder to be in a better position.Dialectic – a clash of ideas and perceptions between each stage of history. It occurs when pre-existing set of values of society, as understood by

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