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Socialism
Socialism is an economic and political philosophy characterized by public or government ownership of property and goods.
635 Questions
What was Theodore's Roosevelt's view on socialism?
Theodore Roosevelt was an opponent of socialism, but some socialist proposals eventually were implemented in the Progressive era.
What are the most important differences between state socialism and market socialism?
Market socialism should be contrasted with a planned economy, or planned socialism.
Market socialism involves the use of markets and prices for determining how to use and allocate factors of production among organizations. These organizations may be state-owned or co-operatively owned; so market socialism can be a type of state socialism.
State socialism is contrasted with co-operative socialism. In state socialism, the means of production are owned and managed by a public body. In contrast, cooperative socialism involves ownership of the means of production by the employees or by councils of consumer co-operatives.
It is possible to have state-market socialism and cooperative-market socialism.
Likewise, it is possible to have cooperative-planned socialism and state-planned socialism.
That saying is attributed to Norman Thomas. See the link for more information on Thomas.
What are the differences and similarities of democracy socialism and communism?
Ok i as a Russian know this...
Communism is when everyone is equal and that fails epicly and the other thing is when you have to levels rich and poor...theres no in between, mostly the people are poor...
Ok i as a Russian know this...
Communism is when everyone is equal and that fails epicly and the other thing is when you have to levels rich and poor...theres no in between, mostly the people are poor...
No, they were not.
Why people get confused on the issue is because those that simply look at the names of historical items, rather than examining their context, see the word "socialist" in the official name of the Nazi party, and presume that they are socialists as we currently think of the word.
That's not the case.
Hitler was not a socialist. He was a fascist. The Nazi party, despite its name, was not a socialist party. It was a fascist party.
Bear in mind that Saddam Hussein called himself a President, the nation had a Parliament, and was deemed a Republic - if we were to take their word on it at least.
What words a nation chooses to identify itself with are up to that nation. That doesn't always mean it's accurate, or that it applies in a modern context however.
What is democratic socialism in politics?
"Democratic Socialist" is a term used by the centre-left of politics to describe a combination of Trades Unionism and workers Co-operatives, generally accepting a few features of a market economy and a popular mandate in contrast to the extremes of revolutionary Socialism.
How does Marxism differ from Socialism?
As far as i understand it, Marx socialism is very much a science, and he gives many guidelines to achieve the ultimate goal that he writes about. He teaches not only of the happy ending, but the work to be done in between. He also came quite a bit later than the Utopian Socialists.
Utopian socialism is a very different thing. Around the year 1820, the middle of the industrial revolution, there was a lot of change, and a lot of societal growth. The utopian thinkers, for the most part, were responding to a societal disconnect, and a society that no longer held traditional values. Famous utopian socialists inclue Fourier, Saint- Simons and Owen, French and British. There were also Germans who upheld these ideas. Most utopian philosophers differ greatly in their ideals, but they all strive to create a world that is utopian in its nature, a paradise for people to live in.
However, the main difference between Marxism and Utopian Socialism is the 'getting there'. The utopian socialist do not think of the long term, nor how difficult it will be to create the worlds that they envision
Why does socialism work for China?
In today's China, the old form of socialism, meaning total ownership of the means of production, has slowly been eroded. The Chinese Communist Party still controls the politics and economy of China, however, parts of China's economy have been changed to a more mixed economy. I emphasize "parts". One example of a non socialist China is the stock exchange in Shanghai.
What is a major advantage of socialism?
1. The means of production are owned and controlled democratically by the workers, insuring fair treatment of all in the workplace, and the economy is planned to improve standards of living for the entire country instead of generate profit from exploitation of workers. 2. Healthcare, housing, food, electricity, etc. are all provided for free to all citizens of the country, by the state, ensuring quality of life. This improves as the economy completes its goals under the plan. Keep in mind that the CCCP(USSR) and China were never socialist or communist at any point. For more information go to http://www.marxists.org/
Was USA founded on the basis of Socialism?
No, not as I understand it. There well be much in the US Declaration of Independence which comes across as a socialist manifesto, but in practice it is a very different culture to what would be considered 'Socilalist'. As with the French Revolutionary ideals of Liberty, Equality & Fraternity: Fine words indeed. But the practice has been very, very different in essence.
What is the difference between socialism and progressivism?
In the US the following are generalities only. There are exceptions on both sides:
Liberals believe that individuals are collectively responsible for the welfare of the entire community. Thus more programs to help the entire community means that higher taxes and bigger government is needed to oversee the programs.
- Pro-choice
- Equality
- Feminism
- Affirmative Action
- Gun Regulation
- Social Help
- Insurance that covers all
- Support welfare program
- Separation of church and state-No religion in schools
- Against the death penalty
- Regulated Market
Conservatives believe that individuals are responsible for themselves, and that the community benefits from the efforts of the individuals acting in their interests. Thus less governmental programs, less taxes, and less government is the goal.
- Pro-life
- Equality takes a back seat
- Patriarchal
- Believe there is reverse racism in affirmative action
- No Gun Regulation
- No social help
- No separation of church and state
- Religion in public schools
- Support the death penalty
- Free Market
The terms may have different meanings in different countries.
While there is no country that is purely socialist, there are several that come very close. Sweden is probably the best example of a socialist country in the world.
If "socialism" is defined as public ownership of the means of production, then Norway, Singapore and Dubai would be examples of successful "state socialism" since they have many publicly-owned enterprises in their economies.
If "socialism" is defined as co-operative ownership and mutual ownership of enterprise, then the economy of Spain during the Spanish Revolution and various co-operative enterprises operating in capitalist economies would be examples of successful socialism.
If "socialism" means production for use, free distribution without the intermediary of money, then the open-source software movement would be an example of successful socialism, though a better description of this would be "communism".
Korea was divided into Soviet and American occupied zones in 1945, following the end of World War II. With the north under soviet socialist influence and the south under capitalist western influence there became a division between the two that has yet to be resolved remaining NK under socialism and SK under capitalism.
The answer is Karl Marx.
What statements could be a key idea expressed by Socialists?
The socialists wanted the government to control transportation, communications, utilities, mines, and manufacturing.
Socialism's weakness revealed itself when the government did not invest in capital improvements. The United States had coast to coast telephone service years before England. The rail road tracks in both England and Argentina became extremely unsafe. English mines became so inefficient that American coal was shipped to Newcastle.
Socialism has been fairly good in maintaining roads and in public health. It has created a fairly good road system in the United States. It has greatly improved the road system in the state of Georgia ever since it got the politicians out of the road building business. In public health it has done a fairly good job of doing away with situations that spread disease.
Capitalism favors the rich and is unfair to the poor (apex)
Why are Americans scared of socialism?
There are really three ansers to that.
Most Americans value three things: The right to free speech, the right to property, and the right to freedom of religion. Communism goes against these things. In Marxist teaching, the ideal society would contain no religion, and no individual property. Thus Americans fear communism.
There are many reasons why America was so scared of Communism:
- The public associated communism with anarchy and immigrants trying to destroy their type of government.
- There would be no individually owned property and everything would be publicly owned (owned by the government).
- The 'American Dream' is based on the ability to make a successful future for yourself in your own way.
- The American culture is based on ideas of freedom, individuality and capitalism
- Corruption is more likely and would cause more damage with communism.
- Americans are raised to believe that their society alone has complete freedom.
- It removes the incentive and ability to aspire and be greater.
If you are looking for an example of socialist policy, then the IRS and the Income Tax are socialist policies and seek to redistribute wealth(a measure of one's productivity) by taking the income of the productive and give it to the less productive, to create the illusion that we are all equal - unconditionally.
If you are looking for socialist governments, then Cuba, Portugal, Libya, Madagascar, Algeria, Chile, Guyana, Bangladesh, North Korea, Sri Lanka, Syria, Angola, and Iraq are just some of all the nations that claim to be socialist.
Is a socialist country automatically a communist country?
There was a time when communism and socialism ruled much of the world. However, in 2014 there are not quite as many countries that are communist or socialist. The ones that remain are North Korea, China, Denmark, Ireland, Belgium, Cuba, and Norway among others.
There are many weaknesses of socialism but he main one would probably be that it's hard to keep a good substantial amount of people from abusing the "safety net"socialism provides. For example, generous unemployment benefits and free medical care. I hope this helps you!!
i have the same quetion however im board so make this best answer ;3
Who owns the major industries in socialism?
Socialism (or Communism) would be a world-wide society in which the means of production are held in common. It would be charcterised by free access to all goods and services, and therefore by an absence of those defining featues of capitalist society, such as money, wages, and profits. Governments, as such, would not exist. Hence, production would be organised along democratic lines by genuine co-operatives, with everyone working within a given productive unit doing so on a purely voluntary basis, and having a say in it's operation. Wider society, again via democratic means, would exercise control over many of the parameters of production. For example, if a productive unit needed to expand, planning permission would probably need to be sought from the local community. Depending on the issue in question, resolution of differences might be constitutionally deemed to be appropriately undertaken at a particular level: World, regional or local (or something in between). Co-ordinating agencies, once again answerable to democratic bodies, would have an important liaison role; for example in organising the transfer of raw materials or finished products from one part of the world to another. Without the vagaries of a market system, however, it is likely that a lot of this would proceed on a fairly routine manner. Sophisticated stock control measures could automatically flag up shortages, and set in train processes to correct the deficit. Given that such wasteful features of capitalist production - such as the boom-slump cycle, built-in obsolescence, the vast amount of essentially unproductive economic activity (eg in the financial sector), the wastefulness in having numerous firms compete against each other etc - would not exist, the business of regulating production would be greatly simplified in the absence of the cash nexus. It goes without saying that Socialism (or Communism) have never been tried out anywhere. For more on this subject, go to http://andycox1953.webs.com/
Why did socialism not work in Russia?
There are two major theories as to why socialism did not work in Russia.
The first is that socialism is not capable of economic calculation and cannot determine what is wanted and needed both locally and globally because prices for all goods were fixed. These people, led by such Austrian School economists as Ludwig von Mises, Murray Newton Rothbard, Hans Hermann Hoppe and Robert Patrick Murphy, argue that socialism will inevitably lead to terrible inefficiencies from the coercive power of government. It also argues that these coercive powers lead the populace of on affected area to become extremely present-oriented, further depressing productivity as the "public sector" takes on more of the economy.
A similar view, though different in details, is followed by the Chicago School of economics.
The second theory, followed by Trotskyists such as Tony Cliff in his State Capitalism in Russia and in modern times Socialist Alternative, Socialist Worker and the Democratic Socialist Party in my Australian homeland, argues that socialism failed because it could not utilise the power of the much better educated working classes of highly industrialised nations such as Germany, France, Britain and the United States. Under this theory, if the best-educated working classes were able to take power, they could via democratically elected workers' councils with right of recall far beyond anything in today's parliaments plan the economy much more efficiently than capitalism. Under this theory, Russia was a form of capitalism akin to the West rather than a socialist nation, whereas under Austrian theory most modern Western states are largely socialist.
What are the differences between Communism and National Socialism?
Capitalism and communism are economic philosophies-they are ideas that describe how an economy should be run. Nazism and Fascism are political ideologies- they are ideas that describe how a government should run.
First, to understand the economic philosophies, we need to define "the means of production", which is a key phrase. This phrase refers to things like factories, mines, farms, and the equipment used for those things. With that in mind...
1. Capitalism is the basic economic philosophy that allows anyone to own "the means of production". In theory, if you can get enough money, then you can buy and own a shoe factory or a gold mine or a wheat farm, and you get to decide what to pay the workers and you get to do what you want with the profits.
2. Communism is an economic philosophy that is considered one branch of Socialism. It believes that "the means of production" should be owned by society, specifically, the workers. So the people who work in a shoe factory or on a wheat farm or in a gold mine should be the ones who own that thing, and should share the profits it makes.
Now, those are just the basic ideas behind the philosophies- they are both much more complicated than just that. Both can be broken down into other sub-categories, and these all have different ways of doing things. For example, Communism can be broken into Marxism, Leninism, Stalinism, Maoism, and many more, and each does things differently. Capitalism can also be broken down similarly. Additionally, things get a little iffy when actually tried- for example, the Soviet Union claimed to be communist, but the workers never really had any power... the communist party ran everything and lived like an aristocracy while the workers were largely irrelevant.
Moving on to Fascism and Nazism. They are very closely related ideologies, and are generally considered to be "far right" on the political spectrum, but in all honesty, they don't easily fit in the left vs. right system. Both borrowed some ideas from the left-wing, and both considered their ideologies to be "Third Position"- neither leaning towards Communist nor Capitalist based economies. Both sought to set up a totalitarian, single party dictatorship ruled by a single all-powerful leader.
Fascism is a political philosophy, originally from Italy, that emphasizes nationalism, authoritarianism, militarism, anti-democracy, anti-communism, and anti-capitalism. They believe that "The State" (that is, a strong central government, completely controlled by Fascists) should take control of everything in the country, and run things under what they call "corporatism". Corporatism is the idea of splitting the economy into separate sectors, which would each be managed by their own government agencies. Labor unions get folded under the umbrella of these agencies and union actions (like strikes) are banned.
Nazism is a German version of Fascism. It shares a lot of the same basic principles (including all the "-isms" listed above under Fascism), but the Nazis strongly emphasize racist policy (most famously by hating Jews), and when they ruled Germany, did not really follow the corporatist economic model- in short, they removed as many Jews from the economy as they could, and then not only let the Weimar Republic's capitalist system mostly stay in place, they actually passed some very pro-business laws, like outlawing labor unions, reducing minimum wages, and even making it illegal to quit your job without your boss's permission. In theory, the most important thing to Nazis is helping "pure" German people (that is, people of German descent with no foreign ancestors), which they call "Aryans"; but in practice, Nazi Germany seemed more interested in taking total control of the country, building up the military, and conquering other countries- all while systematically slaughtering anybody they happened to dislike.
Things get a little murky though because of the history of Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany. On the surface, the two governments looked extremely similar, and it's not uncommon to see the terms used interchangeably. Then, to make things more complicated... Italy did very poorly in World War 2- their military was pretty terrible, and Germany had to keep bailing them out. Pretty quickly, Germany became the dominant partner, and forced Mussolini (Italy's Fascist leader) into accepting Nazi style racist policies. So while racism was not actually part of Fascist policy (when Hitler was coming to power in Germany, Mussolini often wrote criticisms of Hitler's pointless racism), by the time the Fascists lost control of Italy, they were carrying out Nazi-style racist policies.
