Essay/Term paper: Socialism

Essay, term paper, research paper:  Social Issues

Socialism


Socialism is a type of economic system, a political movement, and a
social theory. Socialism is based on the idea that governments should own and
control a nation's resources rather than individuals.
Socialism was first used to describe opposition to the free enterprise
and market economies. The Industrial Revolution was the cause of many social
problems. Long work hours, low pay, and poor working conditions caused
Americans to first consider socialism. With government involvement in business,
fairer treatment for all was feasible. Most countries today have socialist
parties, many have socialist governments, and others who are in between have
adopted socialist ideas.
Communism and socialism are often associated together. Socialism is a
stage of government usually leading up to communism. Government must first
control businesses if it is to be considered a communist nation. Democratic
socialists believe some government control is necessary to force people to
become good citizens, but too much can lead to not enough freedoms.
Socialism is seen as an efficient form of government. Capitalism, on
the other hand, leads to unemployment, poverty, business cycles, and conflict
between owners. Through socialism a nations wealth can be distributed more
equally. 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 to
meet the needs of the people. Some socialist believe that government should go
so far as to pay for education and Medicare. It is disagreement among
socialists that has made for a wide spectrum of ideas, possibly making it more
difficult for socialism to exist.
Socialism and Karl Marx are two words that belong together. Marx was
the most influential socialist of the 1800's. Marx expressed his ideas in the
Communist Manifesto. He believed that all history is a series of struggles
between the ruling and the working classes. Marx predicted that the ruling
class would be overthrown and predicted the working class would set up a
society based on common ownership.
Socialism has never been very strong in the United States. Because of
the opportunity for even the poor to become successful, socialism has never been
able to grow. The strongest movement might have been during World War I.
socialists tried to group, but because of problems at hand nothing was
accomplished. After World War I a complete collapse of socialism occurred.
Today the U.S. still practices a small amount of socialism. Government
regulates and controls many private businesses, provides welfare, and strives to
maintain a high employment rate. The government also uses its strong taxing,
spending, and credit powers. Yet the United States has fewer socialist features
than 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. had
a socialist government, the deficit may not exist. People would all be working
because the worker is the benefactor in a socialistic government. Our country
would be one united work force controlled by the government. On the other hand,
socialism would take away the biggest advantage America has; opportunity. The
chance 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 a
very successful government with happy Americans. and I am one of them.