Differing Views & Tensions in Socialism (Edexcel A Level Politics): Revision Note

Socialism contains several different strands that developed in response to industrialisation, capitalism and debates about how to achieve equality and social justice

All strands share core assumptions

• A belief in human cooperation

• The importance of social equality

• The need to challenge or manage the inequalities created by capitalism

However, they differ in several ways, including:

• How far capitalism must be changed or replaced

• The best route to achieving socialism

• The appropriate balance between state intervention and individual freedom

Revolutionary socialism

• Argues that capitalism must be overthrown and replaced with collective ownership through a workers’ revolution

Social democracy

• Supports gradual reform of capitalism through elections, legislation, welfare provision and regulated markets

The Third Way

• Seeks to combine a free-market economy with equality of opportunity, social mobility and partnership between the state, business and individuals

Revolutionary socialists believe capitalism must be overthrown, not reformed

• The working class is exploited under capitalism

• The system corrupts human nature and undermines common humanity

• Revolution is necessary

  • Existing political systems are too entrenched to be changed gradually

Revolutionary socialists emphasise class struggle as the driving force of history

• They call for the abolition of private property

  • It should be replaced with collective ownership to ensure fairness and equality

• Internationalism is central, as workers across the world share common interests

Marx and Engels

• Argued for a proletarian revolution to abolish capitalism

Rosa Luxemburg

• Supported spontaneous mass action and strikes to challenge state and capitalist power

Social democracy supports gradual, evolutionary change rather than revolution

• It aims to reform capitalism through elections and legislation to achieve socialism’s goals

Social democrats promote a mixed economy, which is where the state regulates markets but allows private enterprise

They also support a strong welfare state funded by progressive taxation to reduce inequality and promote social justice

Beatrice Webb

• Advocated state planning, cooperative structures and the inevitability of gradualness

Anthony Crosland

• Argued that modern capitalism could deliver equality and justice when managed by welfare and education reforms

Third Way socialism seeks to modernise socialist ideas by accepting a market economy and focusing on equality of opportunity rather than equality of outcome

• It argues economic efficiency can be combined with social justice

The Third Way values meritocratic advancement, individual empowerment and partnership between government, businesses and individuals

It supports a reduced but strategic welfare state, aimed at education, training and childcare to promote opportunity

Third Way thinkers prioritise pragmatism over ideology, adapting socialism to the realities of globalisation and modern capitalism

Anthony Giddens

• Argued for the Third Way as a balance between market forces and state intervention, focusing on empowering individuals rather than redistributing wealth