Socialism 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 tight social control. This control may be either direct— exercised through popular collectives such as workers’ councils—or indirect—exercised on behalf of the people by the state. As an economic system, socialism is often characterized by state ownership of the means of production.

What are the core beliefs of socialism? 1.Rejection of private property on the basis of the social inequality it produces. It creates social classes – bourgeois vs. proletariat that have conflicting interests not a harmony of interests. 2.Believes the state is not neutral as between these classes but the coercive and administrative arm of the bourgeoisie (the ruling class). Liberal democracy is “bourgeois democracy”.

Socialism cont… 3. The separation of the private sphere from the public sphere reproduces unacceptable privileges for the rich. 4. Democratic socialism believes democratic methods need to be used to “socialize the economy”. Revolutionary socialists believe in the overthrow of the bourgeois class and the capture of the state in order to abolish capitalism.

Socialism cont… “Up to now philosophers have only interpreted the world, the point however is to change it.” Karl Marx (1818 – 1883)