Explain and analyse 3 ways in which socialist thinkers have viewed capitalism (9)

Socialist thinkers have viewed capitalism as oppressive, a view developed by Marx and Engels in the Communist Manifesto, 1848. This is because they deemed capitalism to be "brutal" with the bourgeoisie (capitalists) oppressing the proletariat (workers), leading to class consciousness as a worker comes to the "sober senses of his real condition of life". This view of oppression was continued by successive fundamental socialist thinkers such as Webb, who claimed capitalism was a "corrupting force", leading to "crippling poverty and demeaning inequality"- thus oppressing workers. This view, however, is inconsistent with revisionist socialist thinkers, who deem capitalism as compatible with socialist ends if harnessed by the state.
(Paragraph 1 of a 3 paragraph 9 mark mini-essay, AQA)

Answered by Politics tutor

9258 Views

See similar Politics A Level tutors

Related Politics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Explain two features of the UK's constiution


Evaluate the 'First-Past-the-Post' Electoral voting system


What are the key features and ideas of the US constitution


Evaluate the extent to which the process of selecting presidential candidates is deeply flawed


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning