1. The political philosophy that the means of production should be owned by the working public rather than individuals. This can be interpreted in a vast number of ways. For instance, the public may own property through the government or through various workers' organizations.
Socialism is not social democracy (socialism has nothing to do with taxing people or pouring money into welfare programs). Nor is socialism necessarily communism (many socialists believe in the right to personal property and not in the redistribution of income).
To put it briefly: socialism is the idea that those who work to create a profit should receive it. You can make money by working but not by exploiting others.
2. The extension of democratic ideals into the economy.
Socialism is not social democracy (socialism has nothing to do with taxing people or pouring money into welfare programs). Nor is socialism necessarily communism (many socialists believe in the right to personal property and not in the redistribution of income).
To put it briefly: socialism is the idea that those who work to create a profit should receive it. You can make money by working but not by exploiting others.
2. The extension of democratic ideals into the economy.
by Coffee Eyes July 11, 2008
When some iPhone
by hobobillybobjoe March 17, 2021
Among college drinkers, if a person at a party announces a "Social!", it is a command that everyone within earshot take a large drink of alcohol in unison, to consume the drinks quickly and get the crowd as drunk as possible. Seasoned partiers will yell "Social!" in return to help announce and time the act.
"I just turned 20 and I have a big test on Monday -- we are gonna get so fucking fucked up tonight. Social!"
(Crowd screams "Social!" and goes quiet as dozens of people chug their beverages.)
(Crowd screams "Social!" and goes quiet as dozens of people chug their beverages.)
by Coell September 7, 2005
A socio-economic system where every worker-citizen is "equal." A decent theory on paper, but difficult to implement in the "real world."
During the cold war there was a massive amount of propoganda against socialism spread by conservatives who didn't want to lose their control over business and government.
by deleted_scenes July 30, 2003
The urge to be in a social setting amongst others of similar interests. Usually these settings include bars, lounges, or night clubs, but could include smaller more intimate settings.
by Certified Enterprises January 29, 2016
My take: all approaches to governing people lay on a spectrum and each is interdependent with the economics of that society. Because the terms cover widths on that spectrum, and are not able to be pigeon-holed, no one conveneient definition of a term such as socialism, and, hence, no one convenient dismissal, is acceptable to a thinking person.
Socialism has many current forms, some more invested in governmental "control" and involvement (western European govenrments) ostensibly stemming from the belief that people will not pay for that from which they do not receive immediate benefit; i.e., roads, health care, the military (need taxes to pay for these things). Yes, the US is a socialist state as well, as it governs some aspects of production, some aspects of capital disbursement (in the form of the Fed, quasi-governenmental instititutions such as Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, special US-backed corporate loans ala Chrysler in the 80s), health care and wealth distribution (taxes). We just do it to less of an extent that some claimed "socialist" states.
If there is anything I would like people to undersdtand, it would be that socialism is not a bad word, no more so tham "dog", and that your unbiased assessment, as opposed to your knee-jerk dismissal, is warranted to truly understand and judge this concept.
Socialism has many current forms, some more invested in governmental "control" and involvement (western European govenrments) ostensibly stemming from the belief that people will not pay for that from which they do not receive immediate benefit; i.e., roads, health care, the military (need taxes to pay for these things). Yes, the US is a socialist state as well, as it governs some aspects of production, some aspects of capital disbursement (in the form of the Fed, quasi-governenmental instititutions such as Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, special US-backed corporate loans ala Chrysler in the 80s), health care and wealth distribution (taxes). We just do it to less of an extent that some claimed "socialist" states.
If there is anything I would like people to undersdtand, it would be that socialism is not a bad word, no more so tham "dog", and that your unbiased assessment, as opposed to your knee-jerk dismissal, is warranted to truly understand and judge this concept.
And, by the way, the working forms of socialism in the modern world (US included), are "social democracies".
And, American cowboy, I know you've been brought up to believe you are independent and it is your manifest destiny to strive to whatever length to outcompete, but remember you live in a community and those you outcompete will lose, and your charity should have been given prior to their loss, or their need to receive a handout. In this way we all win and enemies or the disenfranchised no longer exist.
And, American cowboy, I know you've been brought up to believe you are independent and it is your manifest destiny to strive to whatever length to outcompete, but remember you live in a community and those you outcompete will lose, and your charity should have been given prior to their loss, or their need to receive a handout. In this way we all win and enemies or the disenfranchised no longer exist.
by scott semper November 14, 2004
A word many would do well to look up in an actual FUCKING dictionary.
NOT Communism.
Socialism can be seen in many Western European countries working very well.
It involves being taxed proportionally to how much you earn, a free, or semi-subsidised health service, a minimum wage, decent social security and many many other benefits to society.
NOT Communism.
Socialism can be seen in many Western European countries working very well.
It involves being taxed proportionally to how much you earn, a free, or semi-subsidised health service, a minimum wage, decent social security and many many other benefits to society.
Many American's instantly rubbish socialism becuase during the cold war their government and education system brainwashed them into believing that Socialism=Communism.
These same Americans now find themselves unable to pay for medical treatment and having to work 3 jobs in order to stay above the poverty line.
Remember kids, Socialsm DOES NOT EQUAL Communism.
These same Americans now find themselves unable to pay for medical treatment and having to work 3 jobs in order to stay above the poverty line.
Remember kids, Socialsm DOES NOT EQUAL Communism.
by Mad FUCKING Wullie June 4, 2004