• positive view of human nature
• society is product of economy
• all history is one of class struggle
• social justice only with common ownership of means of production
• revolution needed
• period of transition (Socialism)
• withering away of the state as society becomes more communal and cooperative
• move to: “From each according to their ability, to each according to their needs”
• final possible phase is communism where no state and all live in harmony

Modern Socialism

Split in early 20th century between revolutionary socialists and democratic socialists (Lenin, Trotsky, Mao & Castro were leading 20th century revolutionaries).

Lenin developed the idea of the dictatorship of the proletariat to exist during Marx's socialist transition; the proletariat were to be led by a revolutionary elite who ruled in the interests of all the working classes.

Mainstream Western Left now are “social democrats”:

• mixed view of human nature
• reject end goal of communism as utopian
• pursue less class-structured society, without absolute equality of condition
• liberty expanded to freedom to
• equality of condition replaced by equality of opportunity
• reduced emphasis on state ownership of economic means of production, most now accept “mixed economy”
• highly developed social welfare programs
• support workers’ rights & trade unionism

© 2007 Andrew Heard