Concepts & Definition

Socialism is a form of government which primarily intends to reduce and

ultimately eliminate medical, social, political and economic inequality within its
population. To accomplish this, in theory, the production and distribution of
goods and services must be owned, regulated and administrated by the
government (Feeder, 2003). Almost all socialists are united under a cause to
oppose and eradicate the injustices brought by Capitalism. Capitalisms
foundations lie on the means of production being under private ownership and
the distribution of goods and services being determined by individual choices in
a free market (Britannica). Unfortunately, this system has a tendency for the
most wealth and power to be concentrated within a minority of people who
triumph in a world of exploitation and competition written by the Capitalist laws
of the market (Saber, 1998). Thus socialists, for most of history, have held that
the assured way to remedy the ills of a capitalist society was for the means of
production, distribution and exchange Railways, factories and other resources
required to for the production of goods and services- to be nationalised by the
state and, Managed on behalf of all societys members (Britannica).

History & Background

In early 18th century France the seeds for societal reform were sown as a result of
the negative consequences of new capitalist society born from industrial
revolution. Early industrialisation saw the development of barbaric inequalities,
whereby factory owners and entrepreneurs acquired riches through the
exploitation of a large working class, who generally suffered long hours, measly
wages and terrible conditions (Saber, 1998). Having been moved by this Charles
Fourier, Claude-Henri de Saint-Simmon and others developed a system allowing
fairer distribution of wealth, thus establishing themselves as the founders of
socialist thinking (Sinton, 2011). However Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels are
often considered the forefathers and pioneers of socialism while also being
credited with providing an influential critique of capitalism. Karl Marx was one of
the first to point out, Capitalism is irrational, in the sense that it is essentially
wasteful and inefficient, due to a combination of private ownership and
market allocation (Sinton, 2011). This led him to pioneer a solution which
called for the abolition of private property and central economic planning
(Geenborough, 1972).

How Socialism addresses 4 Ologys

To understand how a socialist political ideology may form a worldview one must
first apply socialist principles to some fundamental ologys. Ologys are defined
as a branch of knowledge that pose key questions. These influence day to day
actions, thoughts and behaviours and thus are substantial components of a
worldview (Huntington, 2014). As a political ideology socialism is limited in the
ologys it can answer as it doesnt address, for example, Cosmology. However,
socialist principles can be applied to Anthropology. Anthropology begs questions
on the nature and purpose of Man in general and, oneself in particular (Antoir,
2001). Drawing upon the concepts and principles of the socialist ideology its
clear that with regard to Anthropology, one expects the purpose of an individual,
and Man in general, is to work productively alongside their fellow members of

society so that everyones basic needs are met and all can exist
comfortably/equally. Socialism therefore, would argue that Man should never
exploit anyone or anything, but in fact be generally co-operative and
communally concerned. This is evident as, Most socialists have preached a
secular version of the Christian Brotherhood of Man. On this principle they are
opposed to nationalism, wars, colonialism and the exploitation of
underdeveloped countries.(Political systems of the world, 1964).
Axiology forms a significant portion of a worldview as it is concerned with the
nature of values, what is good and what is right (Lergen, 1984). Socialism is
essentially about the good for all over the greed of the individual. It vehemently
opposes capitalisms exploitive nature and has theoretically reorganised society
so that a minority of individuals did not hold all the power and wealth at the
expense of the majority of people (Antoir, 2013). In this way it has significant
parallels to Utilitarianism, more specifically the idea of doing the greatest good
for the greatest number. As such, socialism would accept that what is good and
what is right in an action, is the one that is not only co-operative but also would
have a fair, beneficial or just outcome for as many as possible involved.
Although Socialism is not directly concerned with religion and faith, it still has
some principles that allow it to address the topic of Theology, which deals with
beliefs about the nature and existence of god. Many religions maintain and
preach the very same core principles that socialists do such as, no exploitation,
justice, communal concern, acting to ensure every attains their basic needs,
reducing poverty etc (Mary, 1966). As such, there appears to be no reason why
religion and socialism couldnt coexist. However, traditional socialist or Marxists
would find themselves opposing the very existence of god. This is because
socialism originated as a, Quasi-religious movement where it was supposed to
fulfil and explain the purpose of life (Antoir, 2013). Marx and his predecessors
strongly believed that a secular and rational society could never be established if
individuals devoted themselves to a, supernatural being and clutched onto
their, selfish desire for salvation (Mary, 1966).

How socialism forms a worldview and how your life

would be affected
The way socialism addresses those three ologies, theology, axiology and
anthropology, form a significant portion of ideas and beliefs needed to synthesise
a worldview, in turn affecting the way a person acts, thinks and processes the
morality of an action. Essentially, a person holding a socialist perspective will be
against any wealth or social divides and as such many of their action and
behaviours will be directed at ensuring people who are struggling financially in
society are receiving their basic needs (Stern, 1973). This may include more
generous donations to charities, doing more volunteer work, always trying to
help struggling families and friends and voting for more equality in society
(welfare, same-sex marriage etc). This means in everyday life its likely that
through a socialist worldview an individual would be anti-war, pro- immigration
for refugees and in general more open to change, as such their political stance in
Australia would be with the Labor party. With this in mind its quite likely that
their idea of right and wrong action is formulated by thinking about whether
through an action a majority of people will experience the most fair, just and

beneficial outcome. Furthermore, a person with a socialist worldview will have

little, if any, material attachment or desire for materials. This is because an
individual whose worldview is established on socialist principle will be satisfied
once all his basic needs are met (Britannica). Also, its clear that a person, living
in a socialist country, with a socialist perspective will attempt to be as productive
as possible at work because they know that it will benefit all members of society
and ensure that everyone can live comfortably. In essence communal concern
and selflessness are at the centre of a socialist worldview.

The Pros and Cons of holding Socialist worldview

A socialist perspective obviously appears to be a very sophisticated and noble
worldview to hold. The widely accepted positives of holding a socialist
perspective include making decisions revolving around how beneficial, fair and
just the outcome is for all involved, being more generous with time and money
towards those in need and supporting people being oppressed through war and
poverty. Furthermore, demonstrating solidarity with the portion of society
struggling against and suffering from the ill-effects of capitalism is crucial as it
shows initiative and strong empathy skills. Another big positive of the socialist
worldview is that an individual can live a happier life, simply because they are
easily satisfied and do not crave material goods beyond that of which they
require for a modestly, comfortable existence.
On the other hand, a socialist worldview isnt without its faults. If a society were
developed on socialist principle it would become unbalanced, dull and depressing
as the individuals within will begin to lack motivation, because there is no
incentive for themselves. This is why socialist systems always breakdown. This
concept is further explained by Gilligans Three Stages of Moral Development
and is also discussed in Care ethics. Although a society holding a socialist
worldview will volunteer and donate generously to support people living in
poverty and oppression, this may be also done at the cost of the societys
economic wellbeing. This is because an endless cycle is born, where people in
need will be forever dependent on a socialist society to provide them with their
basic needs. Alas, perhaps the socialist worldview that graces individuals within
a society with an empathetic, selfless, loving and generous heart may actually be
the same worldview that sets them up for both social and economic breakdown.