Socialism specification

Harm principle

The idea that individuals should be free to do anything except harm other individuals.

Minimal state

The idea that the role of the state must be restricted in order to preserve individual liberty.

Enabling state

A larger state that helps individuals to achieve their potential and be free.

Fraternity

The bonds of comradeship between human beings.

Co-operation

Working collectively to achieve mutual benefits.

Capitalism

An economic system, organised by the market, where goods are produced for profit and wealth is privately owned.

Common ownership

in relation to the means of production so that all are able to benefit from the wealth of society and participate in its running

Communism

The communal organisation of social existence based on the common ownership of wealth.

Evolutionary socialism

A parliamentary route, which would deliver a long-term, radical transformation in a gradual, piecemeal way through legal and peaceful means, via the state.

Marxism

An ideological system, within socialism, that drew on the writings of Marx and Engels and has at its core a philosophy of history that explains why it is inevitable that capitalism will be replaced by communism.

Revisionism

A move to re-define socialism that involves a less radical view of capitalism and a reformed view of socialism.

Social justice

A distribution of wealth that is morally justifiable and implies a desire to limit inequality.

Class consciousness

The self-understanding of social class that is a historical phenomenon, created out of collective struggle.

Historical materialism

Marxist theory that the economic base (the economic system) forms the superstructure (culture, politics, law, ideology, religion, art and social consciousness).

Dialectic

A process of development that occurs through the conflict between two opposing forces. In Marxism, class conflict creates internal contradictions within society, which drives historical change.

Keynesian economics

Government intervention that can stabilise the economy and aims to deliver full employment and price stability.

Social class

A group of people in society with similar socio-economic status, typically based on their relationship to the means of production.

Workers’ control

The principle that workers should have control over the means of production and the decision-making processes within the workplace.

Common humanity

The idea that humans are social creatures with a tendency towards cooperation, solidarity, and empathy for others.

Equality

A foundational socialist value referring to the belief that all individuals should have equal access to wealth and opportunities.

Collectivism

The belief that collective human effort is both morally superior and more effective in achieving common goals than individual effort.

Revolutionary socialism

The belief that socialism can only be achieved through the overthrow of existing political and societal structures.

Social democracy

An ideological approach that seeks to humanise capitalism through social justice measures rather than abolishing it.

Third Way

A centrist alternative between socialism and free-market capitalism, advocating for a reformed welfare state and a mixed economy.