Socialism Defining Characteristics

Socialism Core Values

1. Collectivism: Humans are inherently social creatures and we can overcome social and economic difficulties through uniting together as a community.

2. Social Justice: needs to be a fair and just system for giving out rewards

3. Common Ownership: the capitalist system as described by Marx is unjust

   • Marxists: the abolition of private property
   • Social Democrats: the state is an option through which prosperity can be collectively owned and rational planning of the economy can occur

4. Cooperation: the cooperation of people is founded upon shared ownership. Decisions are carried out in a democratic manner in order to serve the needs of the whole community.

5. Class conflict: a vehicle which can drive social change

   • Marxism - puts forward the idea of 'class consciousness'; the idea that the working class will be the people to lead the revolution against the capitalist system
   • Social Democrats: modify capitalism through huge state intervention, class definition is less important

6. Fraternity: the sharing of common beliefs and interests

7. Equality: justice demands that people are treated equally

   • Marxists: absolute social equality
   • Social Democrats: relative social equality

8. Common Humanity: we are social creatures, who need to realise our goals are collective and therefore, serve one another for the common good.