Capitalism causes Socialism which eventually causes Communism Makes sense, right? AP World History – Unit 4

Socialism Ancient roots Judeo-Christian belief in the common good, which takes precedence over individual desires. Judeo-Christian belief in the common good, which takes precedence over individual desires. The term “socialism” was coined in 1827 by British socialist Robert Owen. He wanted to describe his view of a cooperative new society. He wanted to describe his view of a cooperative new society.

Socialism’s emergence Liberal political parties in 19 th century Europe failed to address the desperate needs of working people. Classical liberalism views poverty as an individual choice or failure, not the result of social structures. Classical liberalism views poverty as an individual choice or failure, not the result of social structures. Also suspicious of big government. Socialism provides a different conception of individual responsibility & government. Socialism provides a different conception of individual responsibility & government.

Wait…what is the difference between Liberals and Conservatives?

Conservative Beliefs and Policies Believe in: Personal responsibility. Personal responsibility. Limited government. Limited government. Free markets. Free markets. Individual liberty. Individual liberty. Traditional values. Traditional values. A strong national defense. A strong national defense. Believe the role of government should be to provide people the freedom necessary to pursue their own goals. Believe the role of government should be to provide people the freedom necessary to pursue their own goals. Conservative policies generally emphasize empowerment of the individual to solve problems.

Liberal Beliefs and Policies Believe in governmental action to achieve equal opportunity and equality for all. It is the duty of the State to alleviate social problems and to protect civil liberties, both for the individual and for all humankind. It is the duty of the State to alleviate social problems and to protect civil liberties, both for the individual and for all humankind. Believe the role of the government should be to guarantee that no one is in need. Believe the role of the government should be to guarantee that no one is in need. Believe that people are basically good. Believe that people are basically good. Liberal policies generally emphasize the need for the government to solve people's problems.

And now back to fun stuff about Socialism…

Socialism’s principles Egalitarianism (equality) Humankind will be unified and cooperative, once wealth is owned and used for the common good. Humankind will be unified and cooperative, once wealth is owned and used for the common good. Capitalism exploits the very people who create society’s wealth. Capitalism exploits the very people who create society’s wealth.Moralism Division of rich & poor is evil. Division of rich & poor is evil. Capitalism is fundamentally unjust. The ideal future emphasizes peace, social justice, and true liberty for all. The ideal future emphasizes peace, social justice, and true liberty for all.

Social democracy A variation on socialism that argues that socialism and democracy can work together. Example: British Labour Party. Example: British Labour Party. Change comes through peaceful democratic processes like elections. Democratic governments should promote economic, as well as political, freedom & equality.

Social democracy Socialist political parties compete and win office in every western democracy except the United States. Argentina Australia, Belgium, Britain, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Fiji, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, Malaysia, Netherland, Puerto Rico, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Venezuela, etc. Argentina Australia, Belgium, Britain, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Fiji, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, Malaysia, Netherland, Puerto Rico, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Venezuela, etc. What’s different about the U.S.?

What is the comparison between the Social Democracy and Marxism?

Social democracy’s similarities with Marxism Views capitalism as exploitive. Leading to social injustice and extreme income inequality. Leading to social injustice and extreme income inequality. These economic conditions have adverse effects on ordinary working people. In terms of physical health, psychological well-being, housing, education, etc. In terms of physical health, psychological well-being, housing, education, etc.

Social democracy’s similarities with Marxism Both ask the question: Why should those who provide the money, other wise know as “capital”, receive all the profits, and those who provide the labor receive none of the profits? Why should those who provide the money, other wise know as “capital”, receive all the profits, and those who provide the labor receive none of the profits? It is labor, after all, that turns raw materials, including cash, into something with greater value.

Social democracy’s differences from Marxism Private property is not abolished. The public should control the use of property and make necessities available to all. The public should control the use of property and make necessities available to all. Individual rights not abolished. It should complement other important values such as concern for others. It should complement other important values such as concern for others. Change can occur through an evolutionary process that uses democratic means.

So, what does Mr. Marx think?

Marx’s view of Social Democracy Karl Marx said social democrats were naive to think that “enlightened capitalists” would join with workers to form a new society. Violent revolution was inevitable.

Now for some terms that are fun to say. Now for some terms that are fun to say.

Define Marxist Terms Bourgeoisie: Bourgeoisie: Modern capitalists who own the means of production and therefore get to keep all the profits. Modern capitalists who own the means of production and therefore get to keep all the profits. Today, this would include major stockholders in corporations.

Define Marxist Terms Proletariat: Modern wage laborers who sell their labor to live and don’t get any of the profits that they help to create. Modern wage laborers who sell their labor to live and don’t get any of the profits that they help to create. This includes everyone who is not a stockholder or owner of capital, even professionals who work for a salary.

Karl Marx’s key ideas Economic systems go through historic cycles. Overtime, an economic system becomes rigid and cannot adjust to new technologies. Eventually a new system emerges, with new class relations and oppression. Eventually a new system emerges, with new class relations and oppression. Someday, a perfect classless society will emerge and there will be no further cycles.

Marx’s key ideas Steps for change 1.Slave system gave way to feudal economy. 2.Feudal economy broke down with growth of manufacturing, towns, navigation & transportation, which causes the emergence of middle class. 3.Industrial capitalism emerged, with only two classes: proletariat and bourgeoisie.

What are the Pros and Cons of Industrial Capitalism? What is the difference between Commercial and Industrial Capitalism?

Industrial Capitalism Negative Effects Destroys important human values Replaces religious belief with naked exploitation. Replaces religious belief with naked exploitation. Undermines an individual’s sense of personal value in one’s work. Undermines human relationships. All relationships are based on cash. All relationships are based on cash. Destroys human freedom. The only freedom it protects is free trade. The only freedom it protects is free trade.

Industrial Capitalism Positive Effects Unprecedented exploration and technological advancements. War less likely. Urbanization opens people’s minds to new ideas. Economic production centralized, leading to favorable conditions for communism to emerge.

Can you feel it? It’s right around the corner….it’s almost here.

Communist Revolution Inevitable Capitalism creates huge factories. Workers become concentrated and begin to organize for legal reforms. Higher wages and better working conditions. Higher wages and better working conditions. Their efforts fail. Fierce competition between capitalists leads to new technologies, which leads to lower costs.

Communist Revolution Inevitable In the competition, some capitalists go bankrupt & have to become workers, and many workers lose their jobs as new technology replaces them. Greater numbers of people permanently unemployed. Misery widespread. Misery widespread. Fewer people can afford the products of capitalists, so fewer companies survive. Class struggle reaches a climax. Conditions now ripe for revolution. The proletariat, having nothing to lose but their “chains”, rise up. The proletariat, having nothing to lose but their “chains”, rise up.

Communist Revolution Revolution will eliminate private property. No longer will man have the means of exploiting another man. No longer will man have the means of exploiting another man. Bourgeoisie will fight, so revolution will be violent. A dictatorship of the proletariat will follow to weed out remaining capitalist elements.

So, how does Capitalism compare to Communism?

COMMUNISM CAPITALISM Laborer works for the collective good. Organized by state, in short term to benefit all. Wealth distributed according to need. Promotes equality of condition. Creates classless society of cooperation and collectivity. State eventually disappears. Laborer works for individual gain. Organized by free market forces. Wealth distributed according to ability. Promotes equality of opportunity. Creates incentive for individuals to work hard and innovate and prosper. System works naturally without regulation.