Sources

Karl Marx admitted differences in pay in accordance with the quantity and quality of peoples work, but he observed that as long as such arrangements existed, "equal rights are, in principle, bourgeois rights." The founders of scientific socialism were somewhat less simple and clear in dealing with this problem. While F. Engels denied that there would be any differences in remuneration for work in a socialist society, he never dealt with the problem of what would replace previous incentives for work. The true realization of the socialist revolutions goals was believed to lie in enlisting the entire peasantry to work on common land. The New Economic Policy (NEP) achieved impressive results throughout the economy. The economic successes of the NEP went hand in hand with democratization: Coercion was sharply curtailed, the rule of law was strengthened, and personal liberties were greatly expanded.