POLITICS ANDINTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

POLITICAL IDEOLOGIESTHE SOCIALISM

HOW SOCIALISM DEVELOPED?• Socialism developed as a reaction against the emergence of industrial

capitalism. • In its first forms, socialism was a fundamentalist, utopian ideology,

with a very pronounced revolutionary character.• The goal was to abolish a capitalist economy based on market

exchange, and replace it with a socialist society, constructed around the principle of common ownership.• Karl Marx was “the socialist”. His ideas provided the foundation of the

communism.

REVOLUTIONARY SOCIALISTS VS. BOLSHEVIKS• During the 20th century, the socialist movement was divided into two

rival camps:• Revolutionary Socialists - following Lenin’s example• Bolsheviks - called communists

• The rivalry focused on the most appropriate way to achieve socialism and on the nature of socialism itself.

ELEMENTS OF SOCIALISM: COMMUNITY• The core of socialism is the vision of human beings as social creatures,

linked by the existence of a common humanity.• Socialism emphasizes nurture over the nature and is strictly related to

the importance of the community.• It is also highlighting the degree to which individual identity is

fashioned by social interaction and membership of social groups and collective bodies.

ELEMENTS OF SOCIALISM: FRATERNITY• The human beings share a common humanity, they are bound

together by a sense of comradeship or fraternity (brotherhood), but the ideology is broadened to embrace all humans.• This encourages socialists to prefer cooperation to competition. They

also favour collectivism over individualism.• Cooperation enables people to harness their collective energies and

strengthens the bonds of community.• On the other hand, competition pits individuals against each other,

breeding resentment, conflict and hostility.

ELEMENTS OF SOCIALISM: SOCIAL EQUALITY• Equality is the central, pivotal value of socialism.• Socialism is portrayed very often like a form of egalitarianism, which

believe in the value of equality.• Socialism emphasize the importance of social equality.• Socialists believe that a measure of social equality is the essential

guarantee of social stability and cohesion, encouraging individuals to identify with their fellow human beings.• Socialism provides the basis for the exercise of legal and political

rights.

ELEMENTS OF SOCIALISM: NEEDS• Socialism believe that material benefits should be distributed on the

basis of need, rather than simply on the basis of merit or work.• This element can be found in Marx’s communist principle of

distribution: “from each according to his ability, to each according to his need”.• Socialists believe that the satisfaction of basic needs (like hunger,

thirst, shelter, health, personal security) is a compulsory step towards a worthwhile human existence and participation in social life.

ELEMENTS OF SOCIALISM: SOCIAL CLASS• Socialism has often been associated with a form of class politics.• Socialists analysed the society in terms of the distribution of income

or wealth, and they’ve seen class as a significant social cleavage.• Socialism has traditionally been associated with the interests of the

oppressed and exploited working class, and it has traditionally regarded the working class as an agent of social change, even social revolution.• The socialist goal is the eradication of economic and social

inequalities or, at least, their substantial reduction.

ELEMENTS OF SOCIALISM: COMMON OWNERSHIP• The relationship between socialism and common ownership is very

controversial.• Some see it as the END of socialism itself, others see it as a means of

generating broader equality.• The socialist common ownership (Soviet collectivisation or

nationalisation) is a means of harnessing material resources to the common good, with private property being seen to promote selfishness, acquisitiveness and social division (class).• Modern socialism has moved from this narrow concern with the

politics of ownership.