Socialism definition. Social democracy is a type of socialism that attempts to mix parts of socialism with capitalism. The goal of socialism is to spread wealth more evenly and to treat all people fairly. Oct 31, 2024 · Socialism is a political, economic, and social ideology that advocates for collective or governmental ownership and control of the means of production, distribution, and exchange. Definition of socialism noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. SOCIALISM meaning: a way of organizing a society in which major industries are owned and controlled by the government rather than by individual people and companies Democratic socialism is a left-wing [1] economic and political philosophy that supports political democracy and some form of a socially owned economy, [2] with a particular emphasis on economic democracy, workplace democracy, and workers' self-management [3] within a market socialist, decentralised planned, or democratic centrally planned socialist economy. Aug 15, 2025 · Socialism is an economic system in which private property is allowed but the major industries are communally owned and operated by the democratically elected government. Learn about the different types, theories, and examples of socialism, and how it differs from communism, capitalism, and democracy. com Oct 10, 2019 · Socialism describes any political or economic theory that says the community, rather than individuals, should own and manage property and natural resources. Socialism is a system of social organization in which the ownership and distribution of property and income are subject to social control. Tax comes from the wealthiest in the society and corporations. But simply put, it’s an ideology rooted in its opposition to capitalism and wanting to shift power from corporations to workers. Apr 8, 2025 · Definition of Socialism: Socialism is a socio-economic ideology that advocates for: Public ownership or control of resources, means of production, and distribution of wealth Reducing inequality through collective decision-making, social welfare, and planned economy In simple terms: “Socialism means the resources of a country should be used for the welfare of all, not just the profit of a few. quotations Socialism is a set of political principles whose general aim is to create a system in which everyone has an equal opportunity to benefit from a country's wealth. Democratic Socialism: Usage Guide Sep 4, 2025 · An economic system in which the means of production are controlled by the state. Nov 29, 2023 · Socialism is a social, political, and economic theory that advocates for the collective ownership and control of the means of production, distribution, and exchange. Their notion of socialism, like Saint-Simon’s, entailed social control of property through an effectively and impartially administered state—a government of enlightened experts. Born of a commitment to remedy the economic and moral defects of capitalism, it has far surpassed capitalism in both economic malfunction and moral cruelty. Instead of revolution, the Fabians favoured “gradualism” as the way to bring about socialism. Socialism contrasted with the liberal doctrine of individualism that emphasized the moral worth of the individual while stressing that people act or should act as if they are in isolation from one another. Social reformers and labor activists began to organize movements demanding better working conditions, higher wages, and social protection. Learn how socialism compares to capitalism and its role in today's global economy. In practice, socialism ranges from partial implementations all the way up to full control of the economy by a government. Socialism is a political and economic system in which most forms of economically valuable property and resources are owned or controlled by the public or the state. , by the community as a whole, usually through a centralized government. Socialism is a political and economic system wherein property and resources are owned in common or by the state. Define Socialism by Webster's Dictionary, WordNet Lexical Database, Dictionary of Computing, Legal Dictionary, Medical Dictionary, Dream Dictionary. Going back a century, Angelo Rappoport in his 1924 Dictionary of Socialism canvassed no fewer than forty definitions of socialism, telling his readers in the book’s preface that Socialism Socialism is both an economic system and an ideology (in the non-pejorative sense of that term). Any of various theories or systems of social organization in which the means of producing and distributing goods is owned collectively or by a Definition of socialism in the Definitions. People who believe in this system are called socialists. This means that the people share the wealth they create. Socialism refers to a broad array of doctrines or political movements that envisage a socio-economic system in which the ownership of industry and the distribution of wealth are determined by the state or by agents of the state or the collective. A partial implementation is typically referred to as democratic Oct 26, 2023 · Definition of Socialism Socialism is an economic and political system characterized by collective ownership and control of the means of production. Looking for definition of Socialism? Socialism explanation. ” His influence was particularly strong within the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), which was fo Mar 18, 2025 · Socialism is an economic system based on control of economic production and resources by the state with the goal of distributing resources equally. Jun 1, 2023 · Defining socialism “Socialism” is a disputed and emotive term, as it is often conflated with communism and the specter of totalitarian, one-party states. The goal of socialism is to spread wealth more… Socialism—defined as a centrally planned economy in which the government controls all means of production—was the tragic failure of the twentieth century. According to the socialist view, individuals do not live or work in isolation but live in cooperation with one another. Contrast capitalism. SOCIALISM meaning: a way of organizing a society in which major industries are owned and controlled by the government rather than by individual people and companies. Socialism is an economic and political system that advocates for collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods. the set of beliefs that states that all people are equal and should share equally in a country's…. Aug 26, 2021 · Socialism is a system of collective or governmental control of a country's means of production. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. In a socialist society, the means of production, such as factories and land, are owned and operated by the state or the community as a whole, rather than by private individuals or corporations. Socialists emphasize this fact and argue that only the government can solve Feb 15, 2022 · An overview of socialism from an economic & political perspective, how it relates to capitalism and communism, and key issues. Learn about the history, types, and criticisms of Socialism from this article. The characteristics of social democracy include state-owned 3 meanings: 1. Among the most discussed are Socialism, Communism, and Fascism, each representing distinct approaches to economics, governing, and power. Definition Socialism is an economic philosophy based on the need for regulations on capitalism. Jul 7, 2021 · Understanding socialism examples can help you better differentiate policies in both economics and politics. Discover more today! Jul 15, 2019 · Socialism is a rich tradition of political thought and practice, the history of which contains a vast number of views and theories, often differing in many of their conceptual, empirical, and normative commitments. May 5, 2025 · Throughout history, political and economic ideologies have shaped societies, influenced governance, and sparked both unity and division. These days, the word socialism gets tossed around so much, it's almost lost all meaning. Socialism definition: a theory or system of social organization that advocates the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, capital, land, etc. Democratic, Economic Equality, Collective Ownership: By the time of Marx’s death in 1883, many socialists had begun to call themselves “Marxists. SOCIALISM meaning: a way of organizing a society in which major industries are owned and controlled by the government rather than by individual people and companies socialism, social and economic doctrine that calls for public rather than private ownership or control of property and natural resources. Dionne Jr. Learn more about socialism, its history, types, and contrast with capitalism and communism from Cambridge Dictionary. How to use democratic socialism in a sentence. Socialism has many interpretations Socialism is a range of social and economic systems where the means of production form part of social ownership and democratic control. Also known as socialist economy. Yet the idea and the ideal of socialism […] The meaning of SOCIALIST is one who advocates or practices socialism. Socialists think that everything in society is made by people working together. The aim of public ownership is to ensure that production is responsive to the needs and desires of the general population and that goods and services are distributed equitably. socialism, social and economic doctrine that calls for public rather than private ownership or control of property and natural resources. [4] Democratic socialists argue that Definition Socialism is an economic and political system where the means of production, distribution, and exchange are owned or regulated by the community as a whole, typically through state or collective ownership. SOCIALISM meaning: a way of organizing a society in which major industries are owned and controlled by the government rather than by individual people and companies Definition of Socialism Socialism is an economic system wherein the resource ownership is with the common public, rather than the private. What does socialism mean? Information and translations of socialism in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. socialism synonyms, socialism pronunciation, socialism translation, English dictionary definition of socialism. J. [21] See full list on britannica. According to socialism, everything that people produce is in some sense a social product, and everyone who contributes to the production of a good is entitled to a share in it. Democratic socialism, political ideology that supports the establishment of a democratically run and decentralized form of socialist economy. The meaning of SOCIALISM is any of various egalitarian economic and political theories or movements advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods. Socialism is a political and economic system based on the belief that all people are equal and should share equally in a country's money. Click for more definitions. It also typically organizes economic activity through planning rather than market forces, and gears production towards needs satisfaction rather than profit accumulation. Meaning of socialism. Under socialism, the country's main industries are usually owned by the state. Socialism emphasizes that the shared public ownership of resources and central planning provide a more equal distribution of goods and services and leads to a more fair society. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Oct 10, 2019 · Socialism describes any political or economic theory that says the community, rather than individuals, should own and manage property and natural resources. See examples of SOCIALISM used in a sentence. Socialism is an economic and political system where the means of production, distribution, and exchange are owned or regulated by the community as a whole, aiming for equal wealth distribution and social welfare. Socialist politics have been internationalist and nationalist; organised through political parties and opposed to party politics; at times overlapping with trade unions and other times independent and critical of them, and present in industrialised and developing nations. Aug 13, 2025 · socialism (usually uncountable, plural socialisms) Any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods. n. In its most general sense, socialism seeks the co-prosperity and common cause of all people, which could be accomplished without force in religious Socialism definition: Any of various theories or systems of social organization in which the means of producing and distributing goods is owned collectively or by a centralized government that often plans and controls the economy. Jul 15, 2019 · Socialism is a rich tradition of political thought and practice, the history of which contains a vast number of views and theories, often differing in many of their conceptual, empirical, and normative commitments. This concept gained traction during the Gilded Age as workers sought better conditions and equitable treatment against the backdrop of rapid industrialization and economic inequality. This ideology emerged as a response to the inequalities generated by capitalism, promoting social welfare and aiming to reduce class distinctions. ” Socialism: Origin, Development, Components and Divisions! Definition of Socialism: Oxford Concise Dictionary of Politics defines Socialism as, "a political and economic theory of system of social organisation based on collective or state ownership of the means of production, distribution or exchange". The term… Socialism definition: . Socialism vs. A socialist economy features social rather than private ownership of the means of production. Inform yourself with this list of examples. Socialism is based on common public ownership of the machinery, tools Socialism is a way of organizing money and government. It goes to the poor, or even everyone in the society in the form of social programs. Oct 22, 2024 · Capitalism promotes free market conditions, whereas socialism incorporates certain elements of centralized economic planning. A full implementation of socialism is known as communism. Before we discuss these differences in more depth, however, what does “socialism” itself I. It's a system where the ways of making, moving, and selling wealth are owned or controlled by the people who do the work. It deals mostly with the economy, or the part of a society that creates wealth. Sep 8, 2025 · A new Gallup poll finds that Democrats view socialism more positively than they did in the past, while their views of capitalism are more negative. Define socialism. socialism, System of social organization in which private property and the distribution of income are subject to social control; also, the political movements aimed at putting that system into practice. Modern democratic socialists vary widely in their views of how a proper socialist economy should function, but all share the goal of abolishing capitalism Introduction Socialism is a way to organize a society. Jun 25, 2025 · The term has no singular definition. Aug 1, 2025 · Explore socialism's history, core theories, and modern examples of socialist countries. See also marxism. From: socialism in A Dictionary of Environment and Conservation » Socialism is a political and economic system in which most forms of economically valuable property and resources are owned or controlled by the public or the state. net dictionary. and Bill Galston give a primer on socialism in three parts: its definition, the age gap in perceptions of socialism among Americans, and how socialism evolved to social-democratic The meaning of DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISM is a political movement calling for the establishment of a decentralized socialist economic system within a democratically run political system. 1. . Nov 29, 2023 · Socialism is an economic and political ideology that pursues collective ownership and controlled distribution of resources to create equality and fairness among citizens. Socialism is a form of government in which most forms of property, including at least the major means of production and natural resources, are owned or controlled by the state. Understand its principles and how it contrasts with capitalism. In this article, the meaning of socialism focuses on how socialists in the advanced economies – especially in Western Europe – describe it. Social Democracy vs. Originally, though, it was the bedrock of Marxism and meant that workers and their community should control the market for what they make. Socialism, social and economic doctrine that calls for public rather than private ownership or control of property and natural resources. Unchecked capitalism, most economists agree, can create serious problems in the long term, since short-term personal profit does not motivate companies to take care of infrastructure, the environment, or their workers. Learn more. Mar 18, 2025 · Socialism is an economic system based on control of economic production and resources by the state with the goal of distributing resources equally. In this system, despite there still being private property, the government generates tax revenue. The Socialist Response: These circumstances impacted socialist philosophers like Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, who presented a more thorough criticism of capitalism and revolutionary ideas. People have had different ideas about how to create a socialist society. May 13, 2019 · E. an economic theory or system in which the means of production, distribution, and exchange are owned by the. Socialism is a way to organize a society. Socialist ideology SOCIALISM meaning: 1. These programs range from single-payer healthcare, to Explore socialism's definition, benefits, and criticisms in this in-depth article. Aug 26, 2021 · Socialism is an economic, social, and political theory advocating collective or governmental control and administration of a country’s means of economic production. A socialism economy encourages social equality by equitable distribution of resources, such as education, healthcare, energy, and housing. Although socialism shares some common ground with communism (as we will explore), there are a number of crucial distinctions between them. Socialism is a system in which every person in the community has an equal share of the various elements of production, distribution, and Socialism is a system in which the government administers and manages resources for producing and distributing products and services related to the public's basic needs to promote social welfare. togbxatyl nfgnpv dqac laeht rpplx kqjhv wpvni qogupk obeicqz pbqp