[ POLL ] What Is Socialism?

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Actually, what do YOU think Socialism really is?

"Equal misery for all".

I believe the best definition is "a situation whereby the state/nation owns the means of production."

Within this, there is the notion that, ideally, there should be an aspiration towards egalitarianism as far as peoples' wealth is concerned.

With perhaps some "more equal than others" … ?

Socialism in the traditional sense, means worker ownership and control over the means of production.

In practice, the nation/state does this as sort of a symbolic "representative" of the workers.

That's marxist-lenninism, not all socialism.

I know....but this sort of thing is manifested in the vast majority of what are termed "socialist" societies.

Don't you agree that China does the same thing? And most "socialist" societies? Many are Marxist on the surface.....though with their own twist.

There is the "conceit" that the "workers" run things in many of these societies.

China is strange. I know they have a large state sector. Wikipeda lists Maoism as a form of marxist-leninnism. I actually don't know intricacies of Maoism --particularly how its distinguished.

I think large amount of "socialist" societies look like that, simply because of how influential Lenin's political ideology was in 20th century.

Last edited by RushKing on 07 Mar 2019, 6:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I don't believe a "purer" form of socialism/communism as the prevailing ideology of government is possible with a population of more than a few thousand.

It seems as if there must be, according to those in charge of these societies, some authoritarian impetus which keeps the people on the "path" towards a "purer" socialism. This was the impetus behind movements such as the "Great Leap Forward" and the "Cultural Revolution" in China. The propaganda of these movements involved an "evolutionary progression" towards "pure socialism/communism."

I don't really like large scale organization anyways.

Rojava seems to have a good system for large scale decisions. I think large scale socialism works if communities (around 200 or smaller) are allowed to maintain their autonomy.

I am no expert on politics, but I don't like an attitude of entitlement that many politically left-leaning people I have met seem to have...
And no, my hard earned money that I saved while you guys embraced the philosophy of: "eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die"; is not yours...

Having said that, the appalling revelation after the conclusion of the banking royal commission here in Oz shows the depth of corruption and psychopathy of big business...
So I am not a hardcore conservative...
Please don't lynch me...

I think there are several useful definitions of socialism. I think socialism's advocates are too quick to rule out the darker side of communist policy and too quick to claim the benefits of social democratic (capitalist) policy. Equally, socialism's critics, including myself, are too quick to readily paint any slightly zany "the government should fund [thing I like]" proposals as "socialism" one minute and then point out that Norway is a capitalist country the next (while also attributing China's economic success to their capitalist reforms without acknowledging that it remains one of the most centralised countries in the world).

I think ultimately for me, socialism in casual use is about attacking wealth inequality for the sake of attacking wealth inequality, while social democracy is more about trying to eliminate squalor and poverty which might incidentally reduce inequality.

The central issue is that 200 people isn't enough for an autonomous community. Our society can only function because it is large and we are all interdependent. We can only have artists and scientists because someone grows their food, keeps them healthy, teaches their kids, and keeps them safe. 200 is not enough to support a theatre group, let alone a film industry

What would be your ideal size?

Communities don't have to isolate themselves. They can form contracts with each other, practice mutual aid, etc.

Keep in mind:
I haven't studied politics...
I am in the process of leaning...

I view socialism as a collectivist philosophy...
That in itself limits individual autonomy, would it not?