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1
Q

when was the Fabian Society founded?

A

1884

2
Q

What were the stages of history envisaged by Marx?

A
  1. primitive communism
  2. slavery
  3. feudalism
  4. capitalism
  5. dictatorship of the proletariat
  6. communism
3
Q

How did orthodox communism emerge?

A

the Practice of marxist’s theory

4
Q

How was orthodox communism different from what Marx envisaged?

A

(1) Marx thought communism would emerge from developed countries but orthodox communism arose in rural countries (Russia and China). as a result the proletariat were smaller and less educated that Marx imagined.
(2) a communist elite developed to ‘lead’ people into revolution
(3) revolutionary class consciousness did not develop naturally - needed “vanguard party”
(4) Less voluntary than Marx wished(1) Marx thought communism would emerge from developed countries but orthodox communism arose in rural countries (Russia and China). as a result the proletariat were smaller and less educated that Marx imagined.

5
Q

how did modern marxism emerge?

A
Marxists thought that orthodox communism had moved away from classical marxism, they wanted to return to Marx's true aim.
Marx's predictions about the collapse of capitalism failed to materialise. Modern Marxism wanted to reexamine Marxist class analysis- they incorporated other aspects of oppression (e.g. racism, women)
6
Q

What is meant by ‘false consciousness’?

A

the free market and capitalism tricks people into thinking choice, money and individualism are good for them. This makes them ignore inequality.

7
Q

Why do socialists criticise equality of opportunity?

A

promotes rivalry, competition and is used to justify unequal outcomes in society because they supposedly reflect unequal personal merit :(

8
Q

On what grounds have socialists advocated equality of outcome

A

(1) Justice/Fairness: most inequality is caused by unequal treatment by society rather than innate inequality. Justice requires that society ensure material equality. People born rich are more likely to succeed than those born poor.
(2) Community/Cooperation: equal outcomes mean people will be less envious of each other and more willing to cooperate. inequality leads to exploitation and unhappiness as well as conflict and instability.
(3) Needs satisfaction: Marx: “from each according to his ability to each according his need”. humans can only be free provided their basic needs are met (food etc.) since everyone has similar needs, equal outcomes mean everyone has an equal chance to reach their potential.

9
Q

In what ways does the proletariat revolution help people develop

A

In emancipating itself from capitalist exploitation, the proletariat emancipates itself from its own class identity and is thus able to become fully developed people.

10
Q

How does Marx view the state?

A

evil serves the interests of the bourgeoise but is necessary to collective everything in common ownership during the dictatorship of the proletariat.

11
Q

What is the socialist opposition to private property?

A

(1) breeds greed and acquisitiveness-it encourages materialism
(2) inequality leads to selfishness and unhappiness - malleable human nature
(3) it is unjust- wealth is produced by the collective effort of human labour and should thus be owned by the community.
(4) It fosters conflict between the propertyless and the property-owning- this is because it divides people.

12
Q

Marx (and engels) DUTCH CARD

A

DUTCH CARD

(1) the first socialists to recognise the role of class conflict in their critique of capitalism - the proletariat is being exploited by the bourgeoise for surplus value.
(2) criticised Fourier and Owen for being utopian
(3) historical/ dialectic materialism: the scientific study of history which revealed that conflict between two opposing forces (class) led to a higher stage of human development and the belief that economic conditions structure all other aspects of society (base and superstructure).
(4) revolutionary class consciousness
(5) Dictatorship of proletariat - The revolution would event in the means of production (common ownership) and the state being taken into control by the proletariat. this is necessary to transition between bourgeoise control and classless communism.
(6) capitalism is doomed to collapse: capitalism embodies it’s own antithesis (the proletariat are “the gravediggers of capitalism”)
(7) Alienation - from product of labour, from labour itself, from each other, from self)

13
Q

George Lukàcs

A

Modern Marxism: more humanistic approach: capitalism dehumanises workers by reducing them to passive objects or marketable commodities.