Opposition to Classical Liberalism Classical liberalism was more
Opposition to Classical Liberalism
• Classical liberalism was more concerned with industrial efficiency and the accumulation of private wealth than it was with equality as a result many opponents of this ideology emerged • Luddites – textile workers who broke into factories in Britain and destroyed technology that they worried was going to replace manual labour classic example of reactionary conservatism • Chartists – the first mass labour movement in the world, active in Britain 1838 -1848, sought political reforms such as: – Universal suffrage for men (w/o property qualifications), secret ballot, annual elections
• Socialism – an ideology that believes collectivist values should be the foundation for political, economic and social life and resources should be controlled by the public rather than private individuals • Socialism developed as a response to the inequality of laissez-faire capitalism, but is more collectivist than modern liberalism.
• Utopia – an ideal society, a perfect world (opposite is dystopia) • Utopian socialism: – Charles Fourier, Robert Owen – Earliest beginnings of socialist thought, emphasized humanitarianism – Attempted social experiments (on the community level) to address the problems of the Industrial Revolution. – Based on co-operation and group welfare – Favored peaceful change
Key Values of Socialism • Collective interest and the “greater good” or “common good” is more important than self-interest • Collective responsibility – society (through actions of gov’t) needs to look after needs of citizens • Economic equality – even distribution of wealth in society, elimination of distinct social classes • Public property – gov’t should own major industries and profits from publicly-owned business should be redistributed throughout society (social programs) – Private ownership of the means of production leads to exploitation
MARXISM • Also known as scientific socialism or communism • Karl Marx viewed human history as a constant struggle between social classes (ex: rich vs. poor, etc. ) The Communist Manifesto (1848) • Bourgeoisie – business owners, middle class and upper class • Proletariat – workers, lower class
• "Marxism taught me what society was. I was like a blindfolded man in a forest, who doesn't even know where north or south is. If you don't eventually come to truly understand the history of the class struggle, or at least have a clear idea that society is divided between the rich and the poor, and that some people subjugate and exploit other people, you're lost in a forest, not knowing anything. “ - Fidel Castro, former Cuban leader (describing his discovery of Marxism)
• Key idea: - because of profit motive, capitalism always leads the bourgeoisie to exploit workers who never receive the full benefits of their labour • Violent revolution led by workers was needed to overthrow capitalism, this should be an international movement of ALL workers • Abolition of private ownership, nationalization (state ownership) of means of production • Free education and guarantees of work for all, abolition of child labour • Goal: creation of a classless society where (in theory) the state itself would eventually cease to exist Fig. 4. 6 on p. 136 • Marxism influenced the development of command economies in the Soviet Union, China, and North Korea.
• Classical conservatism – reactionary ideology that argues gov’t should ensure the stability of society through a hierarchical structure and loyalty to traditions • Edmund Burke – preserving societal institutions is gov’ts duty, change could not be dictated by present generation of citizens • Other key ideas: - people are NOT fundamentally equal, gov’t should be chosen by a limited electorate only, emphasis on law and order • Classical conservatives viewed the French Revolution’s emphasis on equality, individualism, and freedom as too radical (and objected esp. to the Reign of Terror)
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