can someone explain what socialism is?
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Any of various theories or systems of social organization in which the means of producing and distributing goods is owned collectively or by a centralized government that often plans and controls the economy.
The stage in Marxist-Leninist theory intermediate between capitalism and communism, in which collective ownership of the economy under the dictatorship of the proletariat has not yet been successfully achieved.
The stage in Marxist-Leninist theory intermediate between capitalism and communism, in which collective ownership of the economy under the dictatorship of the proletariat has not yet been successfully achieved.
Yeaa.. im curious of the differences between socialism and communism... I read the communist manifesto.. but considering it had real sophisticated words and I don't really understand sophisticated words, I was kinda left with hella questions... anyway, from my understanding I think socialism is this stage after capitalism before the state becomes communist? But.. also, they say that the UK is basically socialist... so.. if any of the Marxists could maybe clear this up?
Note: Not that I'm trying to be rude, it's great that people ask questions instead of assuming shit, but this question comes up every couple of months or so and some of us have been repeating ourselves for a long time. It might be a good idea to perform an ‘Advanced Search’ in the future, although the search seems to be very limited since the latest forum update, you can still find some real good shit.
That's right. For Marxists, socialism is a transitional phase between the exploitative capitalist system of private property of the means of production, and the classless society of communism, where there is no longer a state in the proper sense of the word, no compulsion to work, no national borders, etc. "Between capitalist and communist society lies the period of the revolutionary transformation of the one into the other. Corresponding to this is also a political transition period in which the state can be nothing but the revolutionary dictatorship of the proletariat."
(*From YFIS*)The first step in this process is the seizure of political power by the working class majority of society, known in Marx's day as the "dictatorship of the proletariat" as opposed to the "dictatorship of the bourgeoisie" we currently live under. Once in political power, the working class can then move to assert its control over the economy. Once the working class democratically runs the economy in the interests of all, instead of in the interests of a handful of capitalists, then very quickly we will be able to provide the basic necessities and then much more to everyone. We will be able to abolish unemployment, provide free, quality healthcare, education, housing, and more to everyone. The creative and productive potential of humanity will be unleashed. (*From YFIS*)
If any of you do not understand some of the terms when reading Marx, there are plenty of places you can go on the net for the defintions. A quick google search and I found this, which has basic definitions of Marxist terms. THIS is another great site with definitions.
That's right. For Marxists, socialism is a transitional phase between the exploitative capitalist system of private property of the means of production, and the classless society of communism, where there is no longer a state in the proper sense of the word, no compulsion to work, no national borders, etc. "Between capitalist and communist society lies the period of the revolutionary transformation of the one into the other. Corresponding to this is also a political transition period in which the state can be nothing but the revolutionary dictatorship of the proletariat."
(*From YFIS*)The first step in this process is the seizure of political power by the working class majority of society, known in Marx's day as the "dictatorship of the proletariat" as opposed to the "dictatorship of the bourgeoisie" we currently live under. Once in political power, the working class can then move to assert its control over the economy. Once the working class democratically runs the economy in the interests of all, instead of in the interests of a handful of capitalists, then very quickly we will be able to provide the basic necessities and then much more to everyone. We will be able to abolish unemployment, provide free, quality healthcare, education, housing, and more to everyone. The creative and productive potential of humanity will be unleashed. (*From YFIS*)
If any of you do not understand some of the terms when reading Marx, there are plenty of places you can go on the net for the defintions. A quick google search and I found this, which has basic definitions of Marxist terms. THIS is another great site with definitions.