Socialism - Simple Core Values

Socialism - Core Values 

Socialism arose as a reaction against the social and economic development which caused the growth of capitalism in Europe

• Fourier and Owen ascribed to an "Utopian society" which was founded within experimental communities based on sharing and cooperation. 
• Marx and Engels developed a more complex theory - revolutionary overthrow of capitalism was inevitable. 
• Democratic socialists - a gradual movement (founded within the beliefs of Fabian Society) which created the growth of trade unions, working classes, political parties etc. 

Core Values 

Equality - in many respects, equality is the defining feature of the socialist ideology, as it clearly distinguishes the ideology from its rivals. 

• Egalitarianism - belief in social equality or equality of outcome 
• Social equality upholds fairness and justice, whereas equality of opportunity legitimises inequality and makes us more likely to identify with each other and work for the common benefit. 
• Equality of opportunity, for Tawney, is a "tadpole philosophy"
• "Need satisfaction" - a necessity - basic needs such as food, water etc. are fundamental and are the "stuff" of freedom"

"From each according to his ability, to each according to his need." Karl Marx

• Marx believed in absolute social equality brought about by the abolition of private property and collectivism of productive wealth. 
• Social democracy believes in relative social equality, achieved through redistribution of wealth through the welfare state. 

Collectivism - humans are social creatures, capable of overcoming social and economic problems by drawing on the power of the community rather than individualism 

Cooperation - a natural state, we are motivated by moral incentives not material ones. The motive is to work hard to contribute to the common good. 

Common Ownership - traced the ongoing competition and inequality to the institution of private property - the "capital"

• Unjust - wealth is produced by the collective effort of human labour and should be owned by the community, not private individuals 
• Can be seen as breeding acquisitiveness and this is morally corrupt. Encourages materialism and is divisive - factors conflict in society between employee and employer. 
• Marxists - aim to abolish private property,
• Social democrats - attracted to a state as an instrument through which wealth can be collectively owned and the economy rationally planned. This applied more to a mixed economy which is applied selectively in the West

Class conflict - radical socialists always see this as crucial as it is the vehicle by which real change can be enacted, not through democratic means as they are inevitably in favour of the middle classes. 

• Marx called it the "class consciousness" by achieving this the workers will be those people who will look to lead revolution 
• Evolutionary socialists would seek to alter capitalism pushing for economic and social equality, which would be achieved through democratic means but with the interests of the working class at their heart
• Social democrats modify capitalism with controls through state intervention on a huge scale - e.g. Atlee government through welfare but also through nationalism and the role of the state being to provide jobs for people. Class is less important the state is a neutral referee
• Modern socialists would claim that class is no longer important e.g. New Labour but their ideas on promoting equality and social justice remain 

Social Justice - Marxists believe that the distribution of wealth cannot occur under capitalism as it relies on incentives and inequalities. Moderate socialists believed it can work with capitalism e.g. minimum wage and higher taxation for the rich. 

• Rawls - although a liberal, provided a description of social justice for moderate socialists calling it "distributive justice"
• The establishment of a fair and just principle for the distribution of reward
• All socialists believe that completely free markets do not produce a just society.