What Is Socialism?

Answer 1

The term "socialism" was first used in the context of early-19th century Western European social critics. In this period, socialism emerged from a diverse array of doctrines and social experiments associated primarily with British and French thinkers—particularly Robert Owen, Charles Fourier, Pierre-Joseph Proudhon, Louis Blanc, and Saint-Simon. These social critics saw themselves as reacting to the excesses of poverty and inequality in the period, and advocated reforms such as the egalitarian distribution of wealth and the transformation of society into small communities in which private property was to be abolished. Outlining principles for the reorganization of society along collectivist lines, Saint-Simon or Owen sought to build socialism on the foundations of planned, utopian communities.

The words socialism and communism were used almost interchangeably in the beginnings of the socialist movement, prior to the formation of communism as a unique type of movement, separate from the greater socialist movement. People chose to use one or the other on the basis of perceived attitude to religion. In Europe communism was considered to be the more atheistic of the two; whereas in England that sounded too close to communion with Catholic overtones, hence athiests prefered to call themselves socialists.

Early socialists differed widely about how socialism was to be achieved; they differed sharply on key issues such as centralized versus decentralized control, the role of private property, the degree of egalitarianism, and the organization of family and community life. Moreover, while many emphasized the gradual transformation of society, most notably through the foundation of small, utopian communities, a growing number of socialists became disillusioned with the viability of this approach, and instead emphasized direct political action.



Socialism refers to a broad array of doctrines or political movements that envisage a socio-economic system in which property and the distribution of wealth are subject to social control.
For example :-
#As an economic system, socialism is usually associated with state or collective ownership of the means of production. This control may be either direct, exercised through popular collectives such as workers' councils, or it may be indirect, exercised on behalf of the people by the state.

Answer 2

From Wikipedia: Socialism refers to a broad array of doctrines or political movements that envisage a socio-economic system in which property and the distribution of wealth are subject to social control. [1] As an economic system, socialism is usually associated with state or collective ownership of the means of production. This control may be either direct, exercised through popular collectives such as workers' councils, or it may be indirect, exercised on behalf of the people by the state.

Answer 3

Socialism refers to a broad array of doctrines or political movements that envisage a socio-economic system in which property and the distribution of wealth are subject to social control. "Socialism." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2006. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. . As an economic system, socialism is usually associated with state or collective ownership of the means of production. This control, according to socialists, may be either direct, exercised through popular collectives such as workers' councils, or it may be indirect, exercised on behalf of the people by the state.

Answer 4

Socialism is an Utopia .The State has everything under its power and people is supposed to be equal in what they have.I lived in a Socialist country but I tell you equality like that is a big lie.

Answer 5

The political system which, under Stalin, was responsible for the deaths of 40 million people.

Answer 6

It implies not only equality of wealth and ownerships but also of rights, power, etc.

Should have been great form of government if the leader is a saint.

Answer 7

The last step of government before communism. Historically speaking anyway.

Answer 8

"The great vice of capitalism is an unequal distribution of blessings; the great virtue of socialism is an equal distribution of misery."

Answer 9

Its the Robin Hood theory. Take from those that have and give to those who don't want to work.

Answer 10

It's a milder form of communism, not quite as extreme.