socialism

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   Any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods.

   Soil improvement often involves the movement of large quantities of earth, but the Chinese peasants face this task with a high degree of enthusiasm for socialism.

2. 2
   noun

   The intermediate phase of social development between capitalism and communism in Marxist theory in which the state has control of the means of production.

   For me, socialism is not statism, or the collective ownership of the means of production. It is a judgment on the priorities of economic policy…the community takes precedence over the individual in legitimate economic policy. The first lien on the resources of a society therefore should be to establish that "social minimum" which would allow individuals to lead a life of self-respect, to be members of the community.

3. 3
   noun

   Any left-wing ideology, government regulations, or policies promoting a welfare state, nationalisation, etc.

   I have used the term "liberal solidarity". It needs to stake out its ideological territory and to debate not only with socialism and conservatism, but with other varieties of liberalism.

4. 4
   noun

   a political theory advocating state ownership of industry

Attested since 1832; either from French socialisme or from social + -ism.

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