SocialismSocialism is a type of economic system, a political movement, and asocial theory. Socialism is based on the idea that governments should own andcontrol a nation’s resources rather than individuals.
Socialism was first used to describe opposition to the free enterpriseand market economies. The Industrial Revolution was the cause of many socialproblems. Long work hours, low pay, and poor working conditions causedAmericans to first consider socialism. With government involvement in business,fairer treatment for all was feasible. Most countries today have socialistparties, many have socialist governments, and others who are in between haveadopted socialist ideas.
Communism and socialism are often associated together. Socialism is astage of government usually leading up to communism. Government must firstcontrol businesses if it is to be considered a communist nation. Democraticsocialists believe some government control is necessary to force people tobecome good citizens, but too much can lead to not enough freedoms.
Socialism is seen as an efficient form of government. Capitalism, onthe other hand, leads to unemployment, poverty, business cycles, and conflictbetween owners. Through socialism a nations wealth can be distributed moreequally. Socialism is therefore based on cooperation rather than competition.
Socialist believe that by creating an economic plan, farmers, manufacturers,workers, and government officials can properly adjust the production of goods tomeet the needs of the people. Some socialist believe that government should goso far as to pay for education and Medicare. It is disagreement amongsocialists that has made for a wide spectrum of ideas, possibly making it moredifficult for socialism to exist.
Socialism and Karl Marx are two words that belong together. Marx wasthe most influential socialist of the 1800’s. Marx expressed his ideas in theCommunist Manifesto. He believed that all history is a series of strugglesbetween the ruling and the working classes. Marx predicted that the rulingclass would be overthrown and predicted the working class would set up asociety based on common ownership.
Socialism has never been very strong in the United States. Because ofthe opportunity for even the poor to become successful, socialism has never beenable to grow. The strongest movement might have been during World War I.
socialists tried to group, but because of problems at hand nothing wasaccomplished. After World War I a complete collapse of socialism occurred.
Today the U.S. still practices a small amount of socialism. Governmentregulates and controls many private businesses, provides welfare, and strives tomaintain a high employment rate. The government also uses its strong taxing,spending, and credit powers. Yet the United States has fewer socialist featuresthan any other industrialized nation.
Like many other people, I feel there are pro’s and con’s to socialism.
Socialism would generally make for a more efficient government. If the U.S. hada socialist government, the deficit may not exist. People would all be workingbecause the worker is the benefactor in a socialistic government. Our countrywould be one united work force controlled by the government. On the other hand,socialism would take away the biggest advantage America has; opportunity. Thechance to strike it rich or create one’s own business would not be possible.
Fortunately, or government has taken only some socialistic ideas and has built avery successful government with happy Americans. and I am one of them.
