Essay on Socialism: Definitions, Development, Arguments and Criticisms

Socialism : Essay,Definitions, Development, Arguments and Criticisms

Essay on Socialism

Socialism is a word which is derived from individualism, because individualism gave birth to socialism. The difference between individualism and socialism is of singular and plural, and opposition. The reaction to individualism is socialism. Socialism is a philosophy and a science which explains the social, economical, developmental, ethical and political issues.

Arguments on Socialism

Socialism is the amalgam of political and economical principles and we cannot separate them. There are different other definitions of socialism and people confuse that which one is better. Socialism, in other words, is the combination of rules and regulations to live in a society. Socialism can differentiate between human and animals. It is a way of life. A writer, Joad writes:

“Socialism is like a hat that has lost its shape because everybody wears it”

It means that socialism has different definitions and everyone tries to explain socialism in own words. Many things are common among different definitions but they are still different.

Definition Of Socialism

Some of the famous definitions of socialism by different writers are:

Humphrey says, “Socialism is a system of society in which means of the life belong to the community as a whole and are developed and operated by the ‘community with the aims of promoting the general well-being”.

According to Emile, “Socialism means the organization of workers for the conquest of political power for the purpose of transforming capitalist property into social prosperity”.

English philosopher Bertrand Russell is of the view that “I think we come nearest to the essence of Socialism by defining it as the advocacy of communal ownership of land and property”.

Ramsay Macdonald writes, “No better definition of socialism can be given in general terms than that it aims at the organization of material economic forces of society and their control by the human forces”.

Development on Socialism

The developmental period of socialism is from 1750 to 1850. This was the time of the advancement of science, art and vocational knowledge in Europe. Many countries of Europe saw the rise of individualism, nationalism and democracy. There are different phases and developmental stages of socialism:

• Utopian Socialism
• Downfall of Utopian Socialism

Socialism is opposite to capitalism because capitalism is based on exploitation. Socialism is responsible for preventing economic waste and open new competitions. Capitalism is not based on justice while socialism is based on justice. If democracy is needed, then follow socialism because it is closer to democracy, and science. Some people criticize socialism because it kills individualism, and fail to practice in many regions.