Category:Socialism

The term Socialism or Socialist can refer to several related things:

1. An economic system.
2. A social structure.
3. An ideology or a group of ideologies.
4. A political movement.
5. A specific methodology or worldview.
6. In Marxist theory, the mode of production that would succeed capitalism, and in some cases precede communism.

The word dates back at least to the early nineteenth century. It has been used differently in different times and places, both by various individuals and groups that consider themselves socialist and by their opponents. There is much variation in the final goal and the method to achieve it among different groups or individuals that call themselves socialist.

As an economic system, socialism is public ownership of the means of production and production to maximize physical utility, often, but not always, entailing economic planning and a moneyless form of accounting.

As a social structure and set of social relations, socialism is democratic or participatory management based on adhocracy or democratic forms of organization in the workplace and in the economy. This is based on equality of opportunity or equal power-relations.

As a political movement, socialism is associated with various socialist, communist, social democratic and labor parties, as well as trade unions and various other forms of social movements with the ultimate aim of establishing a socialist economic system.

As a specific worldview, socialism is usually based on a materialist conception of social and economic development, and the position that human behavior is in large part influenced by the social environment. This often implies a specific methodology for examining social and economic phenomena.

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