Socialism defined “An ideology arguing that citizens are best served by policies focused on meeting the basic needs of the entire society rather than on serving the needs of individuals as individuals.”

Socialism’s principles Egalitarianism or equality.  Humankind will be unified and cooperative, once wealth is owned and used for the common good. Capitalism exploits the very people who create society’s wealth. Moralism. Division of rich & poor is evil; capitalism is fundamentally unjust. Instead, the ideal future emphasizes peace, social justice and true liberty for all. 

The Communist Manifesto (1848) By Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels

Karl Marx, “father of modern Communism” Marx argued: History is shaped by economics alone. History is a series of class struggles. Different classes emerge and oppress each other. Capitalism will destroy itself. A revolution of workers is necessary.

“Dialectical Materialism” “Dialectical”: This denotes that the basis of society is conflict. Marx identified that conflict as class conflict that established by property. “Materialism”: This denotes that there are no spiritual forces, no divine guidance or intervention.

History of Class Conflict Social Production Division of Labor Some “Corner the Market” Class system BOURGEOISIE Rulers Oppressors PROLETARIAT Underclass Oppressed

History of Class Conflict Freeman Patrician Lord Guildmaster Bourgeoisie Oppressor Slave Plebeian Serf Journeyman Proletariat Oppressed Vs.

Factories Machines Labor Tools Forces of Production Factories Machines Labor Tools Social Relationships Of Production Religion Philosophy Religion and Arts Law The State Means of Production Land Raw Materials Energy

What is the Solution to the Continual Cycle of Class Conflict? “The immediate aim of the Communists is the same as that of all the other proletariat parties: formation of the proletariat into a class, overthrow of the bourgeois supremacy, conquest of political power by the proletariat. [ . . . .]The theory of the Communist may be summed up in the single sentence: Abolition of private property.” (qtd. in Knoebel 381)

Socialism’s similarities with Marxism/Communism Sees capitalism as exploitive, leading to social injustice and extreme income inequality. These economic conditions have adverse effects on ordinary working people – in terms of physical health, psychological well-being, housing, education, etc.

Socialism’s similarities with Marxism/Communism Both ask the question: why should those who provide the money (capital) receive all the profits, and those who provide the labor receive none of the profits? It is labor, after all, that turns raw materials (including cash) into something with greater value.

Socialism’s differences from Marxism/Communism Private property not abolished, but the public should control the use of property and make necessities available to all. Individual rights not abolished but should complement other important values such as concern for others. Change can occur through an evolutionary process that uses democratic means.