Define socialism?

A political and economic theory of social organization that advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole.

As opposed to Huge corporations who own and distribute their profits to their investors/owners, CEO's etc... leaving the working class with the bare minimum

Mind you i tend to not involve myself in ism's... or politics in general

And as we have seen in the past, various idealisms in said word lead to horrible living conditions and basically slavery while the governing class live the high life... And to this day the word "socialist" is a frowned upon word... Those that define themselves by the label are mocked and shunned by those that view the ideal as what defined it in the past

Sounds slightly familiar though...

So... how does one define Socialism

From what i've seen, its associated with some of the worst parts of history...

But is that the reality?

What say you?

a reply to: Akragon

What say you?

Socialism doesn't have a very good track record.

a reply to: Vector99

True... when it becomes a political stance

aspects of it are a part of many countries... including mine

a reply to: Akragon

Socialism to me means someone works their buttocks to the bone to help support someone who doesn't want to.

Maybe that's why it's frowned upon by some..just adding my 2 cents to the community fund

Funny how I never hear 'socialists' speak of egalitarianism. I guess that does imply they have to do some work though.

a reply to: Akragon

I will take 'Things that have not worked out well for the people' for $500 Alex.

a reply to: NarcolepticBuddha

Socialism to me means someone works their buttocks to the bone to help support someone who doesn't want to.

Sounds like the corporate world to me...

Work your butt off so you can make someone else rich...

Doesn't seem to fit with the definition in the OP...

Though i did ask for people to "define it"...

interesting

originally posted by: Akragon
a reply to: Vector99

True... when it becomes a political stance

aspects of it are a part of many countries... including mine

There is no free land anywhere in the world, socialism will always be a political factor no matter where you live.

Once politics mixes with socialism you get corruption and a downward spiral.

originally posted by: Ksihkehe
a reply to: Akragon

I will take 'Things that have not worked out well for the people' for $500 Alex.

im not Alex...

Though he is Canadian

a reply to: Vector99

Once politics mixes with socialism you get corruption and a downward spiral.

Agreed

It seems to me by definition...

IF the community owns production, distribution and exchange as a whole, it should give back to said community

Something no government does on earth...

Actually provide for its people without taking

a reply to: Akragon

That, sir, is an interesting thought...

Capitalism: the working class works to support the owners of the companies that provide jobs.

Socialism: the working class works to support the poor who don't want to (or can't) work.

Seems the choice is who takes the money from the working class.

TheRedneck

originally posted by: Akragon
a reply to: NarcolepticBuddha

Socialism to me means someone works their buttocks to the bone to help support someone who doesn't want to.

Sounds like the corporate world to me...

Yep, it's a sham either way.

a reply to: TheRedneck

Capitalism: the working class works to support the owners of the companies that provide jobs.

Socialism: the working class works to support the poor who don't want to (or can't) work.

is that actually correct though?

In a Socialist ideal, there still must be those that create Jobs... but again referring to my above statement... said companies actually provide for their people and their community... as opposed to keeping all said profits for the investors/owners/CEOs etc etc etc... the working class carries that entire sector

Million dollar salaries for doing what?

Going to meetings... Golfing... wearing tight Armani suits?

Something isn't right... and it's Top down

a reply to: Akragon

An economic system that encourages folks to scale 15' high walls & risk being shot, just to get away from it. A system where taxes are a minimum of 50%+ so everyone can have 'free stuff' mainly because 50% or more of the population refuses to work - because they just want the free stuff.

a reply to: Sublimecraft

Just doesn't sound right though....

Starving people will not refuse to work for what can provide...

Again... lets not use history to define the word

originally posted by: Akragon
a reply to: Sublimecraft


Starving people will not refuse to work

They will if someone just hands them food.

Are you trying to define socialism for an American, or a UK/European audience. In my experience both sides of the Atlantic attach a different interpretation to the work "socialism".

In the UK socialism is not about creating jobs, it's quite difference.

originally posted by: paraphi
Are you trying to define socialism for an American, or a UK/European audience. In my experience both sides of the Atlantic attach a different interpretation to the work "socialism".

In the UK socialism is not about creating jobs, it's quite difference.

Well im Canadian... so... no

Just wondering what our members think of it... I prefer to ask an intelligent community as opposed to looking to the net... yes this is the net...

I gave what sounds like a legit definition... now its anyone else's turn...

and we shall Discuss

originally posted by: NarcolepticBuddha

originally posted by: Akragon
a reply to: Sublimecraft


Starving people will not refuse to work

They will if someone just hands them food.

Really though....

Someone will settle for bread and water as opposed to working to provide for their family

I know people are lazy but really?

Once upon a time a socialist... got a little bit of power in my country

We ended up with Free Health care...

Though we are taxed to death... but that is not even close to the reason as to why we have that system

that is pure corruption