A set of ideals and priority of values that makes up an ideology.
Based on Marxism, socialism is the first step on the way to Communism. While most believe it makes things fair, and equal, this is not the case. To bring one person down to make things "equal" is not fair. A common
misconception is that streets and
public schooling are Socialism. It's not when the schools don't teach party dogma by Government standards. While everyone uses
the streets and everyone pays for them, they come out of taxes, so it's not Socialism. Socialism confiscates wealth. People willingly pay taxes (or face jail).
The former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and China are examples of Socialist countries. No Country to date has made it to Communism. But, they had/have communist parties ruling the country.