Socialism Core Ideas

Socialism Core Ideas

1. Collectivism

   • Agreement
     • Natural and innate
   • Revolutionary
     • Economically superior as no wasteful competition
     • Egoism limits socialisation
     • Nationalisation and abolition of private property
   • Social Democracy
     • Welfare state and progressive taxation
       • Trade unions
     • Mix of collectivism and individualism
   • Third Way
     • Neoliberal economy
     • Focus on individualism
       • Support cooperative movement

2. Common Humanity

   • Agreement
     • Human Nature better in socialist society
     • Emphasis on fraternity
     • Naturally altruistic, compassionate and empathetic
       • Optimistic view of human nature
   • Revolutionary
     • Capitalism is against our nature
     • True fraternity without class divisions
       • Common ownership
     • Internationalism
     • Morally motivated
   • Social democracy
     • Accept capitalism
       • Welfare state
     • Motivated by morals and materials
     • Mixed economy
       • Opportunity for individualism
   • Third Way
     • Accept capitalism and free markets
     • Common humanity within a nation
     • More individualism

3. Equality

   • Agreement
     • Reinforces cooperation
   • Revolutionary
     • Reject meritocracy
       • Reject equality of opportunity
     • Abolish capitalism
       • Common ownership
     • Equality of outcome
   • Social democracy
     • Welfare state
       • Redistribution of wealth
     • Keynesian economics
     • Accept natural inequalities
       • Fight for equality of opportunity
   • Third Way
     • Equality of opportunity
     • Social investment
       • Accept some inequalities
     • Meritocracy

4. Social Class

   • Agreement
     • State has a role
       • Minimise class divides
   • Revolutionary
     • Bourgeoisie vs proletariat
       • Class consciousness
     • Most important divide
       • Historical materialism
       • Economically determined
     • Envision egalitarian society
       • Communism
   • Social Democracy
     • Accept middle class
     • Aim to narrow class divides
       • Social justice
       • Welfare state
         • Redistribution of wealth
   • Third Way
     • Appeal to more than one class
       • Embourgeoisement

5. Workers control

   • Agreement
     • Some state control needed
     • Capitalism needs to be replaced or tamed
   • Revolutionary
     • Common ownership
       • State will wither away under common ownership
         • Communism
     • Important step to socialist society
     • Based on human nature views
       • Cooperation
   • Social democracy
     • Trade unions
       • Ensure adequate working conditions
   • Third Way
     • Cooperative movement
     • More privatisation
     • Meritocracy