Despite the fact that in liberalism and in socialism, freedom is recognized as the highest value, it is interpreted by both movements in different ways. The disputes that arise between these two trends, as a result of ideological contradictions, do not subside today.
Instruction manual
1
Liberalism and socialism look at the modern stage of historical development differently. So, for liberalism, civilization, which made the individual the center of socio-economic and social life, has become a major achievement. This stage of human development is perceived by the liberals as the final one. Socialism criticizes modern civilization; he considers it only a step in historical evolution, but not the last. According to socialist views, human history is just beginning, and the global goal of development is seen by the socialists in overthrowing the current capitalist system and building an ideal society. That is why socialist ideas are often on the verge of utopian trends.
2
The most important of the freedoms of liberalism is entrepreneurship or the right of everyone to private property. Whereas political freedom is secondary to economic freedom for him. The ideal society for liberals is seen in ensuring for each individual equal rights and equal opportunities for success and public recognition. If for liberalism, freedom is identical to the individual freedom of each person, for socialism it goes beyond private life. On the contrary, socialism is opposed to individualism and highlights the idea of social cooperation.
3
The great contribution of liberal doctrine to the development of society can be considered his dissemination of the principles of the rule of law, the equality of all before the law, the limited power of the state, its transparency and responsibility. In particular, liberalism rejected the previously prevailing theological theory of the emergence and functioning of power, which justified its divine origin. If initially liberals tended to minimize the influence of the state on economic processes, today's theories allow government intervention to solve socially significant problems - equalizing social status, combating unemployment, ensuring equal access to education, etc. But state power, according to liberalism, exists only for the benefits of the subject and should ensure their interests.
4
For the socialist, an ideal society is seen as one in which there is no place for the exploitation of man by man, and social equality and justice are also affirmed. According to the ideological trend, such a society can only be achieved by abolishing private property and replacing it with collective and public property. This process should lead to a reduction in the alienation of man from the results of his labor, to eliminate the exploitation of man by man, to reduce social inequality, and also to ensure the harmonious development of each person.
5
The most common form of practical implementation of the theory of socialism is a political system based on the complete control of the state over the economy or the so-called command-administrative system. Nowadays, the so-called models of market socialism are gaining ground, which presuppose the existence of enterprises with a collective form of ownership in a market economy.
