BLOG 093020: What is Socialism? Part 2
What is SOCIALISM?
Part 2
In the Socialism Part 1 blog, you read some key concepts. Here's a quick review:
- Socialism is an economic system
- Socialism is an ideology
- Socialism is the converse (opposite) of capitalism.
This blog dives a little deeper into what socialism is, so you develop a fuller understanding of what the media reports.
Equality for all!
Socialists strive for a social order based on communal solidarity in which all layers of society have an equal share in the commonwealth. Socialists criticize liberal economic systems and contrast themselves to liberalism by stressing the social responsibility of the individual.
Socialists believe that capitalism enriches only a few and breeds social inequality, therefore it should be placed under state control so resources are generated justly and divided for the common good of all.
Socialism became a movement, during the 19th century industrialization period, against the impoverishment and political exclusion of the working class. In Europe, workers joined together in labor unions to fight for their rights. In the U.S., the socialist idea never gained a foothold like in Europe.
Reform gradually? Or (violent) revolution?
Within the labor movement, two main currents emerged, and their differences grew violent. One sought gradual transformation and one urged quick, and if necessary, violent revolution in order to see results.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the labor movement split once and for all between the Social Democrats and Communists. In 1918, the Communists pushed their way to power in Russia and established a regime in the name of socialism. They ruled dictatorially under Lenin, and later Stalin, and placed the economy under state control.
After the Second World War, totalitarian socialism spread out into many countries. The Social Democrats accepted the market economy and attempted to equalize income. The establishment of the social welfare state was primarily the work of the Social Democrats.
Where does Karl Marx fit in?
The German philosopher Karl Marx founded "scientific socialism." In 1848, he co-wrote, with Friedrich Engels, the Communist Manifesto. They ascribed to the proletariat (the working class) the historical task of liberating humankind from oppression and bringing about a domination-free society.
Marx saw world history as a series of class struggles between the rulers and the ruled. He asserted that the proletariat would be victorious over the bourgeoisie (the middle class which upholds the interests of capitalism). He believed that the proletarian revolution was a historical necessity.
In 1919 under Lenin, all communist parties joined together in the "Communist International" (Comintern) to achieve worldwide "dictatorship of the proletariat." The member parties were required to be subordinate to the leadership. In 1922, Lenin founded the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics, the USSR. Under Stalin, the Comintern became a foreign policy instrument of power. He dissolved it in 1943.
I welcome your thoughts and comments and hope this information is helpful to you as the election draws near.
Jim Castiglia, Founder
Business Street Fighter Consulting, LLC
919-263-1256
http://www.BSF.Consulting 
