Question 1

All socialists agree that one of the major obstacles to human freedom is

Accepted Answer

Socialists commonly identify the division of society into classes, particularly based on the ownership of the means of production, as a major obstacle to human freedom. This class division creates inherent inequalities and conflicts that restrict individual and collective freedom.

Question 2

Which aspect of Hegel's philosophy had the most influence on Karl Marx?

Accepted Answer

Hegel's philosophy of history, which posits that history progresses through the dialectical process of thesis, antithesis, and synthesis, significantly influenced Marx. Marx adapted this concept into his materialist conception of history, where he saw the class struggle as the driving force of historical development.

Question 3

According to Robert Owen, drunkenness, theft, and other social evils are caused by

Accepted Answer

Robert Owen believed that social evils were the result of a deformed social system that rewards greed and selfishness, not inherent flaws in human nature or solely the failure of individual or parental responsibility.

Question 4

Marx says that workers under capitalism are alienated from

Accepted Answer

Marx argues that under capitalism, workers are alienated in multiple ways: from the products they produce (since they do not own them), from their fellow workers (due to competitive labor markets), and from their own creative potential (as their work is often repetitive and lacks autonomy), making all of the provided options correct.

Question 5

In Utopia, Thomas More apparently recommends that private property should be abolished because

Accepted Answer

Thomas More, in "Utopia," argues that abolishing private property would help control envy and greed, as these negative emotions are often fueled by the disparities in wealth and possessions. This idea reflects his critique of the social issues of his time, suggesting a more communal approach to resources could lead to a more equitable society.

Question 6

According to Marx, the "revolutionary dictatorship of the proletariat" eventually will be
Followed by

Accepted Answer

Marx believed that after the proletariat had seized state power and used it to abolish the conditions of its own exploitation, the state would eventually become unnecessary and wither away, leading to a classless, stateless society.

Question 7

Marx refers to the class of workers who sell their labor to capitalists as the

Accepted Answer

Marx refers to the class of workers who sell their labor to capitalists as the proletariat. This term contrasts with the bourgeoisie, who are the owners of the means of production.

Question 8

The basic belief that socialists typically share is that

Accepted Answer

Socialists generally believe in public or collective ownership of the means of production as a way to ensure that wealth and power are distributed more equally among the population, rather than being concentrated in the hands of a few private owners or corporations.

Question 9

Marx's conception of history differs most notably from Hegel's in that Marx believes that history ________, while Hegel believes that history ________.

Accepted Answer

Marx's materialist conception of history emphasizes the struggle over material resources as the driving force of historical development, whereas Hegel's idealist perspective views history as the unfolding of the human spirit or consciousness.

Question 10

In Charles Fourier's ideal community, or phalanstery, people will happily work because they will be able to do the work that suits their talents and interests. Fourier based this claim on his principle of

Accepted Answer

Fourier's principle of "attractive labor" posits that work can be enjoyable and fulfilling when individuals engage in tasks that align with their passions and abilities, which is central to his vision of the phalanstery.

Question 11

After the revolution, Marx says, there will be a "dictatorship of the proletariat" that

Accepted Answer

The "dictatorship of the proletariat" is a concept in Marxist theory where the working class takes control of the state apparatus to prevent a counterrevolution by the bourgeoisie and to implement socialist policies, not to establish a totalitarian state, crush opposition from the working class, or deny rights to proletarians.

Question 12

In general, socialists believe that

Accepted Answer

Socialists generally advocate for public ownership and control of at least the major forms of property, such as industries and resources, to ensure equitable distribution of wealth and to address social inequalities.

Question 13

In The Communist Manifesto, Marx and Engels argue that capitalism is a creative and progressive force because it creates

Accepted Answer

Marx and Engels acknowledge that capitalism has been a revolutionary force in history, leading to the destruction of feudal systems, the promotion of industry and technology, and the creation of a global market. This perspective is outlined in The Communist Manifesto, where they discuss the transformative and progressive aspects of capitalism in reshaping societies, despite their critique of its exploitative nature.

Question 14

In the mature, fully developed communist society of the future, Marx says,

Accepted Answer

Marx envisioned a society where individuals would be free to engage in various activities without the constraints of specialized roles, as indicated in his writings where he mentions the possibility of hunting, fishing, and engaging in critical discussions in a single day. This reflects his idea of a society where labor is not a means of survival but a way to fulfill individual desires and creativity.

Question 15

After the revolution, but before reaching full communism, Marx says, society must follow the principle:

Accepted Answer

Marx stated that in the socialist phase, which comes after the revolution but before achieving full communism, society should follow the principle "From each according to his ability, to each according to his labor." This means individuals contribute to society based on their capabilities and receive benefits proportional to the amount and quality of their work.

Question 16

The stage of Marx's revolutionary sequence in which the workers realize that capitalism is responsible for their poverty and oppression is the stage of

Accepted Answer

Marx's concept of revolutionary class consciousness refers to the stage where workers become aware of the systemic issues within capitalism that lead to their exploitation and oppression. This awareness is crucial for the mobilization towards revolutionary change.

Question 17

Marx's term for the class that controls the "forces of production" in capitalist society is the

Accepted Answer

Marx's term for the class that controls the means of production in a capitalist society is the bourgeoisie. This class owns the factories, land, and capital and is contrasted with the proletariat, which is the working class that sells its labor to the bourgeoisie.

Question 18

Which of the following was the utopian socialist who thought that the economy should be planned and directed by an elite group of experts?

Accepted Answer

Saint-Simon believed in the management of society by an elite group of experts, advocating for a planned economy where industrialists would lead the way towards a more structured and efficient society. This approach is a hallmark of his utopian socialist ideology.

Question 19

According to the materialist conception of history, every human society must have which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The materialist conception of history, also known as historical materialism, posits that the material conditions of a society's mode of production (its "base") fundamentally shape its social, political, and intellectual life and institutions (its "superstructure"). This includes both the productive forces and the relations of production.

Question 20

Who among the following was NOT a socialist?

Accepted Answer

Adam Smith is known as the father of modern economics, not a socialist. His work laid the foundation for classical economics and the concept of the free market, contrasting with socialist principles which advocate for collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods.

Quiz 5: Socialism and Communism: From More to Marx