...Revisionist Socialism What is it? Revisionist socialism seeks to reform or tame capitalism rather than abolish it. It seeks to reconcile socialism with capitalism. It seeks social justice in the sense of narrowing the economic and social inequalities (to varying degrees) within capitalism through welfare and redistribution. Social democracy is the most obvious example of revisionist socialism. Revisionists are invariably parliamentary, not revolutionary, socialists. Bernstien Beginning in the late 1890s a diverse group of so-called revisionist thinkers increasingly questioned the validity of a number of fundamental Marxist theorists. They particularly objected to how rigidly Marx's doctrine was being interpreted by his colleagues in Second International. The foremost theoretical spokesman of the revisionist movement was Eduard Bernstein. Bernstein was a German social democrat whose views on socialism had been influenced by his extended influenced by those in Switzerland and particularly in England, where he became familiar with the views of the early Fabian Society. While his own theory of socialism differed from theirs, Bernstein nevertheless shared many of the Fabian beliefs, including the notion that socialism could be achieved by non-revolutionary means. In a series of articles that first appeared in Die Neue Zeit between 1896 and 1899 and later published in the book Evolutionary Socialism (1899), Bernstein laid the foundation for a revisionist challenge to Marxist...
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...tendencies within socialism, the ends and means that socialists strive for. There are two variations so socialism that focus on the means and the end, revolutionary and evolutionary. Revolutionary socialists believe that socialism can only be introduced by a revolutionary overthrow of the existing political system, in most cases capitalism. The first successful socialist revolution was the Bolshevik revolution in 1917, which served as a model for future generations of revolutionary socialists. Revolutionary socialists seek a mass uprising of the working class to seize control of the economy and create a society based on common ownership. As the 19th century progressed, in the advanced capitalist states, the attitude for a revolt against a capitalist system depleted. With a rise in wages, an increase in the rights of the working class and better working conditions, the working class lost its revolutionary character and in turn bringing about the development of evolutionary socialism. This developed form of socialism believed that socialism would develop naturally and peacefully as a more liberal form of capitalism presented itself. They believed socialism would occur through a gradual process of social reform and the working class would use the ballot box to introduce socialism, which would therefore develop as an evolutionary outgrowth of capitalism. With the development of socialism, a society called the Fabian Society developed. The Fabian Society is a British socialist organization...
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...issues have divided competing traditions and tendencies within socialism. The first is the goals or ends for which socialists should strive for and the second is the means they should use to achieve socialists ends. The two variations of socialism which focuses on the means are revolutionary and evolutionary socialism while the two that focus on the goals are fundamentalist and revisionist socialism. Revolutionary socialists believed that socialism could only be introduced by a revolutionary overthrow of the existing political system which was, in most countries, capitalism. The first successful socialist revolution was the Bolshevik revolution in 1917, which served as a model for subsequent generations of revolutionary socialists. Revolutionary socialists seek a mass uprising of the working class to seize control of the economy and create an egalitarian society based on common ownership. However as the 19th century progressed, enthusiasm for popular revolt waned in advanced capitalist states such as western Europe. Capitalism had matured and the urban working class lost its revolutionary character. Wages had increased and the working class had more rights and better working conditions. Therefore, evolutionary socialism developed, which believed that socialism would develop naturally and peacefully out of liberal capitalism. The Fabian Society introduced parliamentary socialism in the UK and they believed that socialism could be introduced through political action and education...
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...SOCIALISM Student Edward Hawkins Instructor: Professor Muhammed Sohna SOC300 – Sociology of Developing Countries May 5, 2013 SOCIALISM Definition Socialism – Socialism is a political term applied to an economic system in which property us held in common and not individually, and relationships are governed by a political hierarchy. Common ownership doesn’t mean decisions are made collectively, however. Instead, individuals in positions of authority make decisions in the name of the collective group. Also, socialism is a social and economic doctrine that calls for public rather than private ownership or control of property and natural resources. History The history of socialism has its origins in the French Revolution of 1789 and the changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution, although it has its precedents in earlier movements and ideas. The Communist Manifesto was written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in 1848 just before the Revolutions of 1848 swept Europe, expressing what they termed ‘scientific socialism’. In the last third of the 19th century in Europe social democratic parties arose in Europe drawing mainly from Marxism. The Australian Labor Party was the world’s first elected socialist party when the party won the 1899 Queensland state election. In the first half of the twentieth century, the Soviet Uniion and the Communist parties of the Third International Around the world mainly came to represent socialism in terms...
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...Socialism is a range of economic and social systems characterised by social ownershipand democratic control of the means of production,[7] as well as the political ideologies, theories, and movements that aim at their establishment.[8] Social ownership may refer to public ownership, cooperative ownership, citizen ownership of equity, or any combination of these.[9] Although there are many varieties of socialism and there is no single definition encapsulating all of them,[10]social ownership is the common element shared by its various forms.[5][11][12] Socialist economic systems can be divided into both non-market and market forms.[13]Non-market socialism involves the substitution of factor markets and money with engineering and technical criteria based oncalculation performed in-kind, thereby producing an economic mechanism that functions according to different economic laws than those of capitalism. Non-market socialism aims to circumvent the inefficiencies and crises traditionally associated with capital accumulation and the profit system.[22] By contrast, market socialism retains the use of monetary prices, factor markets, and, in some cases, the profit motive with respect to the operation of socially-owned enterprises and the allocation of capital goods between them. Profits generated by these firms would be controlled directly by the workforce of each firm or accrue to society at large in the form of a social dividend.[23][24][25] The feasibility and exact methods of resource...
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...Western Europe, the rapid increase in wage labor influenced the emergence of new political forces that, proclaimed the equality of all people, and sought dramatic social and political change. One of the most powerful results of the growing uneasiness with the condition of workers was the birth of the movement known as socialism. In the 19th century Europe, socialism focused on worker equality, equitable pay scales and, perhaps most important, humane living and working conditions. Over time, European socialism became politicized, evolving into mass party movements. Utopian socialists, most of whom were French, critiqued the changes brought by the Industrial Revolution. The name “utopian” reflects their dreams of creating a perfectly harmonious way of life. Utopian Socialism is defined as socialism based on a belief that social ownership of the means of production can be achieved by voluntary and peaceful surrender of their holdings by propertied groups . This philosophy emphasized their determination to put forward demands for political and social reform. Utopian socialism was the first form of socialism to come about as well as one of the biggest branches of socialism in the 1800s. They got their name because of their belief in an ideal and perfect world that could...
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...Theories of radical nationalism and socialism became popular in the 19th century, when the Industrial Revolution had first started to really change things in Europe and in other Western countries. The quick changes in society during the 19th century created enormous social tensions and dissatisfaction among many. Workers, realizing that the wealthy had the most to gain from free market capitalism, turned to other ways of modernization including communism and socialism. Those who believed that they could achieve what they wanted by gradual reform of the existing political structure were socialists while those who believed that the old order needed to be completely replaced by force were communists. Others rejected the socialist emphasis on international class politics and proposed nationalism as another alternative to individualistic capitalism. Unlike socialists or communists, nationalists believed that there was nothing inherently wrong with capitalism. They just thought it should be regulated and made to benefit the nation as a whole in addition to the few individuals who owned the means of production. In either case, political philosophies that emphasized nation and class were responses to a changing world that had uprooted old social beliefs. Communism, which is also described as "Revolutionary Proletarian Socialism" or "Marxism," is both a political and economic philosophy. The Communist Manifesto is widely regarded as the founding documents of modern communism...
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...Socialism and Liberalism For hundreds of years people have been developing ideas on how governments should function and interact with their citizens. These ideas have run the gamut of possibilities from governments that control every aspect of life to governments with limited power where individual liberty is encouraged. Two ideologies that gained prominence in the 17th and 18th centuries were Liberalism and Socialism. Socialism is an ideology where citizens are best served by policies focused on meeting the basic needs of the entire society rather than by policies focused on serving the needs of individuals as individuals. (Grigsby, 2011) Liberalism arose from the writings of John Locke who believed in a limited government and protection of the rights of individuals, this is known as Classical Liberalism. This theory was expanded on in the 19th century and became known as Modern Liberalism. Modern liberals believe in an interventionist government and expansive liberty. (Grigsby, 2011) In recent years in the United States, some have tried to make these two ideologies synonymous. While they may share some characteristics these two ideologies are not the same. Socialism is not Liberalism and Liberalism is not Socialism. Interventionist government and expansive liberty are the two main points of Modern Liberalism. An interventionist government is government that takes a role in regulating economic and social interactions. (Grigsby, 2011) Expansive liberty is defined...
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...After the loss of the American colonies in 1783 Britain began to look for new colonies in order to find cheap sources of raw materials. The 19th century brought about the greatest prosperity in Britain. Its sources lay in colonial expansion, industrialization, improved transport, and social reforms. At the beginning of the century Britain was at war with Napoleonic France. In 1806, Napoleon issued the Berlin Decree forbidding any country under his control from trading with Britain. In the following year, the British issued Orders in Council, granting the right to seize neutral shipping bound for French controlled ports. This decision led to a war with the USA (1812-1814). In 1815, the Duke of Wellington (1769-1852) defeated Napoleon at Waterloo near Brussels, and after the Congress of Vienna in 1815, Britain became the greatest and richest power in Europe. The British controlled world trade. In the 19th century the population of Britain increased rapidly. By 1815 it had reached 13 million and London was one of the largest cities in Europe (1 million inhabitants). By 1850 half the population lived in towns and London had more than 2 million inhabitants. Between 1750 and 1850 the population of Britain increased threefold. Victoria, daughter of the Duke of Kent, a younger son of King George III, succeeded her uncle, William IV, in 1837. Her reign lasted until her death in 1901, and it was marked by a steady growth of national wealth and expansion of the empire. Britain held the...
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...October 18, 2013 Socialism vs. Capitalism Contemporary History Professor Quincy Harris Capitalism and Socialism are two different types of systems. There lies a huge difference between the beliefs of both. I plan to discuss the differences of each and discuss the pros and cons of both as well as discuss which would be better for Americans. Sometime between 16th and 19th century capitalism first appeared. Once Feudalism failed Capitalism became the stronger system used in the western world. During the time of the Industrial Revolution Capitalism spread throughout the world. In order to become an industrialized nation then Capitalism had to be embraced. Socialism’s movement was started by Karl Marx (intellectual advocate.) Socialism is an economic system characterized by social ownership of the production and co-operative management of the economy. Socialism first appeared during the 19th century. According to (Historyworld.net).The essential characteristics of capitalism only become evident with an increase in scale in two quite separate contexts. One is the formation of joint-stock companies, in which investors pool their resources for a major commercial undertaking. The other, not evident until the Industrial Revolution, is the development of factories in which large numbers of workers are employed in a single private enterprise. Speculative trading enterprises in the Middle Ages are undertaken by individual merchants, operating in family groups or partnerships but...
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...Influences/ turning points in Mussolini’s early life • Benito Mussolini was born in Dovia di Predappio, a small town in the province of Forlì in Emilia-Romagna on 29 July 1883. In the Fascist era, Predappio was said to be "Duce's town", and Forlì was "Duce's city". • Mussolini was named Benito after Mexican reformist President Benito Juárez. • Benito was the eldest of his parents' three children. • Mussolini's early political views were heavily influenced by his father, Alessandro Mussolini, a revolutionary socialist who idolized 19th-century Italian nationalist figures with humanist tendencies (Humanism is a philosophical and ethical stance that emphasizes the value and agency of human beings) such as Carlo Pisacane. • As a youth, Benito Mussolini showed much intelligence, but was boisterous and disobedient. His father instilled in him a passion for socialist politics and a defiance against authority. • He did not have a good relationship with his father and gained a reputation for bullying and fighting during his childhood. At age 10 he was expelled from a religious boarding school for stabbing a classmate in the hand, and another stabbing incident took place at his next school. He also admitted to knifing a girlfriend in the arm. • He qualified as an elementary schoolmaster in 1901. • In 1902, Mussolini emigrated to Switzerland, partly to avoid military service. He...
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...When a social system and its productive relation are no longer compatible with its demand for productivity development, people are going to overthrow that system and introduce a new one suitable to current economic situation. In the case of Europe, when history rolled its wheel to 1500’s, such a situation applied. In this century, alongside the great discovery, the activities of Europeans was suddenly not confined to the continent and the neighboring waters, but reached great remote oceans and any corners of the world with their vessels and compasses. Trade and commerce grew exponentially as several small nations like Spain, Portugal, and later Holland became masters of the sea and the route of their vessels reached more and more land and the people on it. The great discovery changed, to a great extent, the people’s outlook on the world and the development of trade and commerce facilitated by this discovery increased substantially the riches of European countries and their people, propelling the economic development to such a point that the old social structure became compatible no more. On the other hand, the Renaissance emancipated people’s mind and facilitated the spread of ideas as freedom, equality and democracy which are essential to the founding of modern society. If the great discovery updated people’s physical outlook on the world, the Renaissance transformed their conception upon society and human beings. They became more conscious of the position they were in and...
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...The Rise of Socialism and Communism: Marxism “The classes and the races, too weak to master the new conditions of life, must give way. They must, perish in the revolutionary holocaust” (Karl Marx). Marxism was created in the mid-1800s by two German philosophers named Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. Since the beginning of the 21st century Marxism has been making a comeback due to Marxism-Leninism in Asia and Eastern Europe, different morals of the upcoming generation, and due to the fact that it is one of the key components of the Communist style government that is being introduced around the world. Marxism-Leninism was created together in 1929, which was 5 years after Lenin’s death, by Joseph Stalin. Many communist parties today imagine it...
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...Plan: Why have some socialist’s advocated revolution rather than reform? (15) Introduction: Some socialists, namely fundamental socialists, have advocated the need for revolution, a forcible overthrow of a government or social order in favour of a new system. Whilst, 19th century socialists in particular advocated revolution because there were no other alternative methods of bringing about socialism. By contrast, the decision for reform refers to gradual, incremental change, brought about peacefully through the current process of the vote. Body: In favour of Revolution * The working class, in particular, have favoured revolution over reform as the state has become an agent of oppression, which continues to act in the best interests of the ‘bourgeoisie’ or ‘elitist’ groupings (owners of capital). Thus it must be removed, by the use of force. * It promises to bring about complete transformation of society. * The working class (proletariat) have very limited means of political influence – no means of the vote, trade unionism membership isn’t permitted and have no political parties that work promote their particular interests. * The state must be removed entirely; stateless society must be brought about through violence. The state will not remove itself. * Industrialism; the stark injustice – which creates a desperate underclass of people. Thus, the removal of capitalism, replaced by the construction of a new state, would enable the collective state interests...
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...Today, capitalism, communism, and socialism exist in various parts throughout the world. In the United States and United Kingdom, the capitalism system is still existent, albeit an argument can be made that the levels of economic inequality are vastly growing in these societies, resulting the need for reform. In countries such as China, Vietnam, and North Korea, communism, is in full effect. The latter showcases the flaws of a state filled with poor and impoverished people. Finally, European countries such as Sweden and Denmark operate under socialism. In these nations, the system is relatively successful in regards to the implementation of high taxes and an array of social welfare benefits in return. Overall, although these three men did not completely solve the problems of economic inequality and social injustice through their ideals and philosophies, they have all played a significant role in shaping the various types of societies that exist...
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