The history of socialism has been marked by a retreat from traditional principles . Discuss.

The term socialist emerged from the term sociare meaning to combine or to share. Thus, this is an ideology stemming from the enlightenment which values community and society over the individual. This essay will seek to discuss the extent to which socialism has retreated from traditional principles. In relation to the development of socialism, this is split into two blocks : revolutionary socialism and evolutionary socialism. This will be discussed. In order to present a cogent argument in which discussion and analysis occurs, it is important to make clear what exactly the traditional principles of socialism are . Firstly, the idea that no man is an island ( John Done) . Unlike Liberalism which undertakes an atomistic view of humanity, socialism sees humanity as one. In relation to community, they see human beings as social creatures , based on a collectivist view that human beings should work together to pursue goals. In relation to equality, traditional socialists believe in absolute equality of outcome and that material benefits should be distributed on the basis of needs. Socialists view social class as representative of social division. Finally, traditional socialists trace the originis of competition and inequality to the institution of private property. Thus, unlike liberalism and conservatism which both regard private property as natural and proper, socialists see it as divisive, morally corrupting and unjust. Thus, traditionally, socialists believe property should be state owned. Many early socialists believed that socialism could only be introduced through a revolutionary overthrown of the existing political system . Thus, these are revolutionary theories. of For example, classical Marxism which is a philosophy of history outlining why capitalism is doomed and how ( and why) socialism is destined to replace it. Marxism goes against early socialist thinkers such as Fourier and Owen as utopians suggesting that their socialism was unconnected with the necessity of class struggle and revolution. Marxism emphasized the idea of one class and absolute equality of outcome. This is in line with traditional principles and thus, in some respects, is not a retreat from traditional socialist principles. However, as history moves on, a more subtle form of Marx developed in Western Europe referred to as modern Marxism . This is a revision of classical Marxist ideas . Firstly, modern Marxists did not see class struggle as the beginning and end of social analysis. Secondly, they were repelled by the Bolshevik model of orthodox communism i.e. the idea of authoritarian and repressive character. However, unlike Marxism who attempted to abolish capitalism , Social democracy arose in the 19th century and attempted to reform or humanise capitalism. Thus, instead , social democracy balances market economy with state intervention. Consequently, this is a step away from traditional principles of communism which has absolute values i.e. capitalism MUST be wholly removed. Social democracy was most fully developed in the early post 19450 period. However, since the 1970 s, social democracy has struggled to retain electoral relevance and witnessed ideological retreat. Instead, ideas such as the third way emerged. evolutionary socialism, however, contradicts early socialists believe supporting revolution. Through the 19th century, wages and standard of living rose. Thus, capitalism matured and the working class had begun to develop a range of institutions such as trade unions which advance a sense of security which makes revolution unnecessary. Instead, Fabianism took up the view socialism would develop

nautrall and peacefully out of liberal capitalism. Whilst this form of socialism accepted the liberal theory of the state as a natural arbiter, they moved more right wing accepting socialism as a gradual social reforming process.