Socialism is an ideology in which freedom, equality and fraternity are recognized as the main values. Proponents of the trend sought to transform a society that is based on private property, to a society of social equality.
For the first time the term "socialism" was used by P. Leroux in the work "Individualism and Socialism", which refers to the middle of the 19th century. Socialism is understood as a totality of currents that put forward the principles of freedom, justice and equality as key. These, in particular, include Marxism-Leninism, reformism, social democracy, Soviet and Chinese models of socialism, etc.
Socialism is not only ideology, but also a social system. It is believed that he should replace capitalism.
The origins of socialism
The first sources of socialism were the work of socialists. In particular, T. Mora (work "Utopia") and T. Campanella (work "City of the Sun"). They advocated the need to transform the dominant system into a collective society.
Only in the first half of the 19th century did thinkers appear who criticized capitalism and defended the interests of the working class. Among the founders of socialism were A. Saint-Simon, S. Fourier and R. Owen. They proposed the concept of social restructuring, which should be based on public ownership and social equality. This trend is also called utopian socialism, because they his supporters believed that such radical transformations can only be achieved through education and upbringing.
