Socialism is an ideology in which freedom, equality and brotherhood are recognized as the main values. The followers of the current sought to transform a society based on private property, to a society of social equality.
For the first time the term "socialism" was used by P. Leroux in his work "Individualism and Socialism", which dates back to the middle of the 19th century. Socialism is understood as a set of trends that put forward the principles of freedom, justice and equality as key. These include, in particular, Marxism-Leninism, reformism, social democracy, Soviet and Chinese models of socialism, etc.
Socialism is not only an ideology, but also a social system. It is believed that he should replace capitalism.
The origins of socialism
The first sources of socialism were the work of the socialists. In particular, T. Mora (work "Utopia") and T. Campanella (work "City of the Sun"). They defended the need to transform the dominant system into a society organized on a collective basis.
Only in the first half of the 19th century did thinkers emerge who criticized capitalism and defended the interests of the working class. Among the founders of socialism were A. Saint-Simon, C. Fourier and R. Owen. They proposed the concept of social reconstruction, which should be based on public property and social equality. This trend also received the name of utopian socialism, because they his supporters believed that such radical transformations can be achieved only through education and upbringing.
The main ideas of socialism as an ideology
The final formation of socialism as an ideology took place only in the second half of the 19th century and was associated with such names as K. Marx and F. Engels. Marxism was then proclaimed as the ideology of the proletariat. The fundamental ideas of Marxism are:
- socialism is the first phase of communism, which will replace capitalism;
- private property and the exploiting class must be destroyed;
- the establishment of public ownership and the dictatorship of the proletariat;
- the leading role of the ruling party and the lack of political pluralism;
- lack of alienation from the results of their own labor;
- ensuring social equality and justice.
In Russia, the ideology of Marxism was somewhat changed within the framework of Leninism. In particular, the thesis was established about the possibility of establishing socialism in a single country, as well as about the transition from capitalism to socialism.
According to the supporters of socialism, private property is the basis for the emergence of social inequality, therefore it must be eliminated and public (collective) property will come to replace it.
Socialists advocate a strong state, which is an essential element of economic transformation. Socialists have their own model of an ideal society in which equality and justice prevail, and there is no oppression of man by man. It is public property, in the opinion of the socialists, that should contribute to the harmonious development of the individual.
