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Socialism

Socialism . and New Labour. Socialism is a product of Modern Industrial Capitalism. Reflected the interests of the growing industrial workers Promoted a radical redistribution of income and wealth Planned rather than a free market economy

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Socialism

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  1. Socialism and New Labour

  2. Socialism is a product of Modern Industrial Capitalism • Reflected the interests of the growing industrial workers • Promoted a radical redistribution of income and wealth • Planned rather than a free market economy • Socialism is different from Communism in that Communism takes redistribution further

  3. A radical ideology • Conservatism involves a defence of traditional social arrangements • Liberalism support for moderate social reform • Socialism a fundamental challenge to traditional interests and industrial capitalism – an answer to the rapid industrialisation and poor living conditions of the workers

  4. The birth of the Labour Party • Formed in 1900, an alliance between trade unions, the Social Democratic Society, The Fabians and ILP. • Trade Unions more interested in obtaining better working conditions through the current system, rather than a socialist overthrow of the system. More radical Liberalism than Socialism

  5. Clause 4 • Inserted into the Labour Party manifesto – 1918 • To secure for the workers by hand or by brain the full fruits of their industry and the most equitable distribution possible, upon the basis of the common ownership of the means of production and distribution.

  6. But how Socialist is Labour? • The Labour Party has traditionally remained committed to gradual Parliamentary reform rather than a revolutionary transformation of social, economic and political order • Saville describes their moderate trade unionist and reformist stance as Labourism, rather than Socialism

  7. Atlee’s Government 1945 • Defined Labour’s idea of Socialisnm • Common ownership of the ‘commanding heights of the economy’ – Nationalisation of industries; gas, electricity etc. • Keynesian demand management the key • The key feature was the Welfare State, creation of the NHS etc.

  8. 1983 a key election • Thatcher unpopular, but still riding high from Falklands defeat, faced Michael Foot an old Bevanite Socialist • A left wing agenda was followed, including Unilateral nuclear disarmament, more nationalisation and leaving the European Economic Community • Thatcher won a landslide

  9. From Old Labour to New Labour

  10. Kinnock and Smith Kinnock Faced down the hard militants Introduced new logo (Red Rose) to modernise image Smith One Man One Vote (OMOV) Destroyed the Union block vote

  11. Tony Blair and New Labour • The New Clause 4 • The Labour Party is a democratic socialist party. It believes that by the strength of our common endeavour we can achieve alone, realising a community in which power, wealth and opportunity are in the hands of the many not the few

  12. Radicalism New Labour Styleeee • Devolution • National Minimum Wage • New Deal • Social Chapter • Joining the European Court of Human Rights

  13. Tories in disguise? • Acceptance of the free market • Private-Public partnerships • Strong on law and order – Terror Bill 2005 • Private Finance Initiatives to fund public sector investment

  14. Principles of New Labour • Communitarinism • Critical of Individualism • Stressing the importance of community interests • Stakeholding • Consumers, workers and wider communities are stake holders in companies and states • Ethical Socialism • ‘Faith Politics’ – Morality Christian Socialists • The Third Way • Updating Social Democracy • Middle way between command economy and unrestrained free economy

  15. Influences • Early 20th Century Liberals • ‘Progressive Alliance’ with Lib Dems, a la Edinburgh and Cardiff • One Nation Conservativism • Pragamatism • Critics say he has no clear political philosophy, but a hotch potch of ideas

  16. Has Ideology Died? • Is New Labour the first ant-ideology, based on Globalisation? • A fresh brand of consensus politics • Free market economy • Business friendly policies • Conservatives have abandoned family values for a commitment to public services • Global issues make it difficult to operate in isolation

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