Useful political ideologies quotes and clarification

Socialism:

Marx and Engels - Capitalism instilled a 'false consciousness' and made humans selfish, ruthless, greedy. New economic system would revive their noble characteristics of being cooperative, selfless, fraternal. 

Believed "what individuals are depends on the material conditions of their production" - History involves "a continuous transformation of human nature"

Centrality of social class. Capitalism creates two conflicted economic classes- the bourgeoisie (ruling class, own and mange economy) and proletariat (sell labour to bourgeoisie in return for wages)
Harsh inequalities of wealth and power, and exploitation of proletariat.
State would always serve the interests of whichever class controlled the economy. Liberal state 'merely a committee' for the ruling class, never provide an evolutionary road to socialism.
Capitalist societies unstable, and would eventually be overthrown by a 'historically inevitable' proletariat revolution
After revolution, a new state would emerge-'the dictatorship of the proletariat', then this alternative state would wither away and be replaced by a stateless, classless society, involving common ownership.

Luxemburg - "A capitalist state promotes exploitation and is at odds with humanity's natural, fraternal instincts."

Rejected 'dictatorship of the proletariat', advocated immediate construction of a new democracy.

"The wall of Capitalism is only strengthened and consolidated by the development of social reforms. Only the hammer blow of revolution, that is the conquest of political power by the proletariat, can break down this wall."

Webb - "Capitalism is the principle cause of crippling poverty and demeaning inequality"

Capitalism the principle cause of inequality and poverty.
Reform gradual not revolutionary; 'the inevitability of gradualism'
Neither paternalism or philanthropy could solve poverty and inequality; could be solved through trade unionism and state intervention.
1905-1909
Examined State's approach to poverty
Minority Report: Education, Living Wage, Disabled, Healthcare
Anticipated Beveridge Report (1942) which was implemented by Labour after 1945

Capitalism a 'corrupting force for humanity', fostering 'unnatural levels' of avarice and selfishness'

"The state should guarantee a national minimum of civilized life...sufficient nourishment and training when young, a living wage when able-bodied, treatment when sick ,and modest but secure livelihood when disabled or aged."

Crosland - Steady expansion of the welfare state; community inequality and advance socialism Advocated more public spending and better public services rather than public ownership.

True objective of socialism is equality, could be achieved with a managed capitalist economy
Capitalism had changed forever due to Keynesian economics; permanent economic growth and full employment
'mixed economy'; mainly private enterprise and private ownership, with key services and a small number of industries owned by the state.

New form of state education, known as comprehensive education, which would end the segregation of pupils at age 11
Break down class divisions whilst ensuring equality of opportunity
Secretary of State between 1965 and 1967; made comprehensive education the norm by the time of his death.

"If its the last thing I do, I'm going to destroy every ****ing grammar school in England. And Wales. And Northern Ireland."

Giddens - Corrosive effects of capitalism and individualism on community and fraternity

"The new mixed economy looks for a synergy of the public and private sectors."

“all welfare states create problems of dependency, interest-group formation and fraud.” Can be linked to New Labour policy of Job Seekers Allowance as opposed to the dole!

"Why shouldn't the super rich be forced to help the super poor?"

Conservatism:

Hobbes - cynical: individuals are selfish, driven by a restless and ruthless desire for supremacy and security

the state arises 'contractually' from individuals who seek order and security

to serve its purpose the state must be autocratic and powerful

there can be no society until the creation of a state brings order and authority to human affairs - life until then is 'nasty, brutish and short'

constructive and enduring economic activity is impossible without a state guaranteeing order and security

Burke - "A state without the means of change... is without the means of conservation" - we need to change to keep things working correctly BUT this should be empirical, and based on tradition and experience

"the wiser, stronger and more opulent" - those at the top of society SHOULD be there, based on their abilities and better nature

"a partnership between those who are living, those who are dead and those who are yet to be born" - property is important and offers stability

"acknowledge, nurture and prune... the crooked timber of humanity" - society is imperfect but 'little platoons can fix it (somewhat) - contrast to Hobbes who only thought about the state providing order

Oakeshott - "society's present direction stems from its past development" - tradition and habit are important.

"a known good is not surrendered for an unknown better"

"philosophy of imperfection" need not be a "philosophy of pessimism" - it is okay to accept the imperfect!

the role of the state was to "prevent the bad rather than create the good" - shows some continuation with the other early theorists and a difference with socialists

"we all sail a boundless sea with no appointed destination"

it is the job of the government to "keep the ship afloat at all costs" using experience and stoicism rather than "fixating on a port that may not exist"

Rand - "while the state becomes flabby, it also becomes feeble" - big states, including with sizeable welfare state elements are also weak and inefficient, and should be streamlined.

"Money is the barometer of a society's value"

"the small state is the strong state"

Nozick - "tax, for the most part, is theft"

"Oakeshott mentality" was "lazy" Nozick- believed Oakeshott's nautical metaphor was too fatalistic and undermined the ability of individuals to shape their own circumstances. Nozick argued this kind of reasoning left socialist ideas unchallenged

His libertarian ideas led towards him favouring the decriminalisation of victimless crime such as drug consumption - this is at odds with strong state conservatives.

"taxation of earning from labour is on a par with forced labour"

"no state more extensive than the most minimal state can be justified"