In this article you will learn about the salient Features of Socialism in Political Science.
Socialism
Socialism has been defined in several different forms such as Utopian Socialism, Scientific Socialism, Democratic Socialism, Evolutionary Socialism, Fabian Socialism, State Socialism, Guild Socialism, Collectivism and others. Socialism is a economical and political theory according to which the means of production, distribution and exchange should be owned and controlled by the people. Everyone should be given an equal opportunity to develop one’s talent and the wealth of the community should be fairly distributed.
Socialism is that policy which aims at securing by the action of democratic authority a better distribution and in due subordination and a better production of wealth. It is a democratic movement whose purpose is the securing of an economic organisation of society which will give the maximum possible justice and liberty to everyone. However, the definition, meaning and its content have been continuously changing.
Features of Socialism
The difficulty in selecting one fully valid definition of Socialism can be somewhat overcome by discussing its salient features:
More emphasis on Society than one Individual
Socialism puts more emphasis on the society or collectively than on the individual. It lowers the individual interests to the higher interests of the society as a whole.
Abolition of Private Ownership
In the book of Prof. Joad, ‘Introduction to Modern Political Theory’, he says that three essential elements of socialism are common to all socialist schools, these are : (1) “The private ownership of the means of production to be abolished and with this objective, important industries and services to be brought under public ownership and control. (2) Industry is to be carried on for the purpose of ministering to the needs of the community and not with the object of making profit for the individuals; the extent and character of production to be determined, therefore, not by anticipation of profit but by considerations of social good. (3) The motive of social service, which is at present opposed by the capitalization of industry, to be substituted for the incentive of private profit."
Emphasis on Organic Unity of Society
Socialism highlights the organic unity of the society. In pursuance of this, it aims at organising socialism in the interests of individual freedom from inequalities. This freedom does not mean complete absence of restraints, it means provision of those opportunities which enable an individual to live a full and free life in society. Some socialists believe, ‘there is neither liberty nor equality’. Therefore, they aim to free the individual from the slavery of hunger, want and unemployment. A man can be free only if he is provided with the basic conditions and needs of life.
Opposition to Capitalism
Socialism is totally opposed to capitalism because it is based on the principle of profit-making and not on the increased production for the sake of common good. Capitalism leads to unequal distribution of wealth among the different classes of people. Under it, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. It is because of this reason that socialism aims to abolish capitalism. It aims the production to be carried on in accordance with the needs of the society and the distribution to be carried on in accordance with the principle of social justice.
Elimination of Competition
Competition leads to a harmful waste, so socialism stands for the elimination of competition which can be easily avoided. The competition under the capitalist system of production is done for the sake of profits which is both antisocial and unhealthy and it also results in over-production. Sometimes the producers have to spend a lot of money on the advertisement of their goods which is an enormous waste. So under Socialism, this type of wastage, resulting from the competition, gets eliminated.
Abolishing of Private Enterprise
Socialism believes in abolishing both private enterprise and private property. The socialists aim at transforming the private enterprise into collective and public enterprise. Socialism asserts that land and other natural resources and instruments of production should no longer be used or governed by few instead it should be managed and utilised by the people and for the people.
Equality-the basis of Socialism
Another feature of Socialism is that it stands for equality. It aims for securing socio economic equality for all. But this does not mean absolute equality. It only means equal opportunities to all for the development of their natural facilities. Differences on the basis of capacity and merit are tolerated under socialism. In a socialist society there is to be a sort or uniformity of thought or conduct or treatment.
This article on Features of Socialism in Political Science is contributed by Dipshikha Anand. If you like LawStudyPoint.com do follow us on our Twitter handle.