Decoding Buzzwords: What Is Socialism? – LemonWire
In our current political climate, Socialism has become a bit of a buzzword, largely due to the work of the Sanders campaign in de-stigmatizing the word within the American discourse. While this has been good for many leftist groups (leftist here defined as any groups that explicitly advocate for some form or another of socialism, i.e. not the Democrats), there has been a large amount of confusion about what socialism is, even among those who advocate for supposedly socialist programs and policies.
The bane of the left has been this confusion about the term. We have been called alt-left with a high level of frequency by ultraconservative groups, a term that is intended to equate us with the fascist and proto-fascist movements of the alt-right, which is a movement that we have nothing in common with.
So, for the sake of clarity, lets try and make exactly clear what socialists are, what we believe, and what the terms we are discussing mean. To begin, a few points of admission and clarity:
I am a communist. That is the position this piece is written from.
All communists are socialists, but not all socialists are communists. Socialism is an umbrella term for a wide range of political theories, whereas Communism is a particular one.
No, socialism isnt a system in which the government necessarily runs the economy.
No, socialism isnt a system in which the government regulates the economy, taxes the rich heavily, and has a high level of social investment.
No, communism isnt necessarily a dictatorship in which the government has unlimited power.
Many of these claims are difficult to accept for an American or western audience, as the spectre of the Cold War still haunts us and distorts our view of politics. However, it must be made clear that whether or not the USSR was even a good example of socialism is one of the most divisive questions of the left, and that we cannot let decades old discourse and rhetoric cloud our understanding of what is happening today.
Disclaimers aside, this brings us to our central question: what is socialism? Socialism is a theory pioneered by many philosophers and thinkers, notably Proudhon, Marx, and Bakunin (although, even this selection of early socialists is misleading, incomplete, and arbitrary) in the mid-to-late 19th century. These theorists encompass ideologies ranging from mutualism, anarchism, to communism.
The central component that links these ideologies as socialist is their basic conception of how the workforce and industry should be organized. To be explicit and brief, this organization is defined in opposition to capitalism, with the two systems being defined as thus:
Capitalism: a system in which some people own businesses, factories, and the means by which goods and services are produced (the means of production), and then buy labor from those who cannot afford to privately own these properties. That is, you have those who own the labour of others, and those who sell their labour and what it produces to others.
Socialism: A system in which workers collectively own the means of production and own all that they produce.
The interpretation of what socialism looks like is a massive contention on the left. Some, such as the mutualists, defend the existence of a free market, with all individual businesses being collectively and equally owned by those who work at them. Some, such as the Anarcho-Communists, believe that capitalism cannot be abolished without abolishing the state. And some, such as the communists, believe that the conditions that cause capitalism cannot be abolished without seizing the power of the state.
But what binds them is a search for a classless society in which the workers directly control government and industry. It is not defined by dictatorship- although there are those who advocate dictatorship- it is defined by working class control.
So, when socialists talk of policy, we dont talk of greater government control- we have a capitalist government that we do not wish to hand any more power to. What we speak of is the working class. We speak of workers rights. We speak of workplace agitation. We speak of power to the working class!
As the Industrial Workers of the World, the radical union that earned us much of our workers rights in the early 20th century, says in their preamble, The working class and the employing class have nothing in common. What we seek is an end to socio-economic relations that benefit the few at the expense of the many.
This is why we do not feel comfortable working within the structures of the Democratic party, and see the Democrats as the enemy every bit as much as the Republicans- both are capitalist organizations with capitalist donors, capitalist aims, capitalist structures, and capitalist leaders. Nancy Pelosi even admitted as much at a public forum when confronted with growing youth support for socialism. In her own words. We are capitalists. Thats just how it is. However, this is why socialism has never been the mythical academic ideology it has been portrayed as. We do not sit in ivory towers trying to decide the fate of society. We are your coworkers. We are your friends. We are sometimes your family. One thing that I promise, however, is that we are not your boss.
Go here to see the original:
Decoding Buzzwords: What Is Socialism? - LemonWire
- Berrien Makes Hongs Socialism Focus of Governors Race - MacIver Institute - September 19th, 2025 [September 19th, 2025]
- Shashi Tharoor writes: Rethinking capitalism and socialism in India and beyond - The Indian Express - September 19th, 2025 [September 19th, 2025]
- Tenured Texas State professor fired for comments at socialism conference sues university over termination - KVUE - September 19th, 2025 [September 19th, 2025]
- How Does Socialism With Chinese Characteristics Actually Look and Feel Like? - TheWire.in - September 19th, 2025 [September 19th, 2025]
- Are Americans ready for the reality of socialism? - Fox News - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- Charlie Kirk's faith, are Americans ready for socialism, and more from Fox News Opinion - Fox News - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- What Americans think about socialism and capitalism, according to a new Gallup poll - Corvallis Gazette-Times - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- What Americans think about socialism and capitalism, according to a new Gallup poll - STLtoday.com - September 15th, 2025 [September 15th, 2025]
- Socialism and Communism Arent What You Think They Are - Vision Times - September 13th, 2025 [September 13th, 2025]
- NYC voters wary of Mamdanis socialism, but split field keeps him in the lead - Jewish Insider - September 13th, 2025 [September 13th, 2025]
- What Americans think about socialism and capitalism, according to a new Gallup poll - MSN - September 13th, 2025 [September 13th, 2025]
- Is US government stake in Intel a good idea or socialism or both? - Asia Times - September 13th, 2025 [September 13th, 2025]
- Gutfeld: Socialism must be perfect to work, which is why it must be done with force - Fox News - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- No, East Germany Wasnt Socialist and Neither Is Democratic Socialism - Left Voice - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Morning Joe Rips Trump Administration's University Patent Proposal as 'Full, Blown-Out Socialism' | Video - TheWrap - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Take up the fight for socialism! Mobilise the working class against genocide, dictatorship and world war! - World Socialist Web Site - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Salazar denounces horrors of socialism in newly introduced resolution - Ripon Advance - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Critics Call the Government's Stake in Intel Socialism. Are They Right? - DTN Progressive Farmer - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- The Socialism of Fools Reaches Record Levels in Britain, Having Doubled in Four Years - The New York Sun - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Americans positive view of capitalism falls, while thoughts on socialism rise - Straight Arrow News - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- 'Socialism': Joe slams Trump official for saying U.S. should take chunk of college's patent revenue - yahoo.com - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Gutfeld: Socialism must be perfect to work, which is why it must be done with force - MSN - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Americans' positive view of capitalism falls, while thoughts on socialism rise - MSN - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- What Americans think about socialism and capitalism, according to a new Gallup poll - AP News - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- Poll: What Americans think about socialism and capitalism - niagara-gazette.com - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- What Americans think about socialism and capitalism, according to a new Gallup poll - Carolina Coast Online - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- What Americans think about socialism and capitalism, according to a new Gallup poll - Weatherford Democrat - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- This is socialism: Trumps private sector intervention causes heartburn on right - Roll Call - September 6th, 2025 [September 6th, 2025]
- AJC readers write about green energy needs and a deal that looks like socialism - AJC.com - September 6th, 2025 [September 6th, 2025]
- Xi Jinping bonds with Kim Jong Un over 'common ideals' of socialism at first meeting in years - Washington Examiner - September 5th, 2025 [September 5th, 2025]
- Farage deputy Richard Tice: "Some of our policies... are a form of socialism" - IAI TV - September 5th, 2025 [September 5th, 2025]
- Exploring the Art of Radicalization at Socialism 2025 - Weave News - September 5th, 2025 [September 5th, 2025]
- Trump brings socialism to the USA - The Hill - September 3rd, 2025 [September 3rd, 2025]
- NYT reporter: The closest Zohran Mamdani gets to socialism is his belief in 'treating people more equitably' - yahoo.com - September 3rd, 2025 [September 3rd, 2025]
- Trump's Intel stake sparks cries of 'socialism' from his party, but he vows more deals are coming - Arizona Daily Star - September 3rd, 2025 [September 3rd, 2025]
- Is That Socialism? The U.S. Governments Share of Intel - Advisor Perspectives - September 3rd, 2025 [September 3rd, 2025]
- What to Know About Zohran Mamdani and Democratic Socialism - The New York Times - September 1st, 2025 [September 1st, 2025]
- NYT reporter: The closest Zohran Mamdani gets to socialism is his belief in 'treating people more equitably' - Fox News - September 1st, 2025 [September 1st, 2025]
- Trump's Intel stake sparks cries of 'socialism' from his party, but he vows more deals are coming - Wahoo Newspaper - September 1st, 2025 [September 1st, 2025]
- Socialism has no place in New York City (letter to the editor) - SILive.com - August 29th, 2025 [August 29th, 2025]
- Trump buying shares of Intel is socialism! Government should stay out! Robby Soave | RISING - The Hill - August 29th, 2025 [August 29th, 2025]
- Trump's Intel stake sparks cries of 'socialism' from his party, but he vows more deals are coming - AP News - August 27th, 2025 [August 27th, 2025]
- Socialism Is Right Here In Donald Trumps America. Rejoice! - The Daily Beast - August 27th, 2025 [August 27th, 2025]
- Other Views: Bolivia turns the page on socialism - Yakima Herald-Republic - August 27th, 2025 [August 27th, 2025]
- Trump's Intel stake sparks cries of 'socialism' from his party, but he vows more deals are coming - MSN - August 27th, 2025 [August 27th, 2025]
- Trump's Intel stake sparks cries of 'socialism' from his party, but he vows more deals are coming - PinalCentral.com - August 27th, 2025 [August 27th, 2025]
- Trump's Intel stake sparks cries of 'socialism' from his party, but he vows more deals are coming - The Killeen Daily Herald - August 27th, 2025 [August 27th, 2025]
- 'State-owned enterprise is not the American way' GOP senators, former Trump associates question White Houses 10% stake in Intel, critics brand move... - August 27th, 2025 [August 27th, 2025]
- Trump's Intel stake sparks cries of 'socialism' from his party, but he vows more deals are coming - Ottumwa Courier - August 27th, 2025 [August 27th, 2025]
- Trump's Intel stake sparks cries of 'socialism' from his party, but he vows more deals are coming - couriernews.com - August 27th, 2025 [August 27th, 2025]
- Trump's Intel stake sparks cries of 'socialism' from his party, but he vows more deals are coming - thederrick.com - August 27th, 2025 [August 27th, 2025]
- Take up the fight for socialism! Mobilize the working class against dictatorship, genocide, and world war! - World Socialist Web Site - August 26th, 2025 [August 26th, 2025]
- Mamdanis Candidacy Will Test Whether Socialism Is as Popular as the Press Purports - The New York Sun - August 26th, 2025 [August 26th, 2025]
- Press & Sun letters: A response to the claim of rising radical socialism - Press & Sun-Bulletin - August 22nd, 2025 [August 22nd, 2025]
- Whistleblower Ex-Cop Triumphs in the Heartland of Bolivian Socialism - Bloomberg - August 22nd, 2025 [August 22nd, 2025]
- Conservatives In Favor Of Socialism? - Patheos - August 22nd, 2025 [August 22nd, 2025]
- The media is all aflutter over socialism but America isnt convinced - New York Post - August 22nd, 2025 [August 22nd, 2025]
- Every city that promotes socialism has higher taxes, rents, crime and levels of depression, expert says - Fox Business - August 22nd, 2025 [August 22nd, 2025]
- This Is Socialism: Right-Wing Host Short-Circuits Over Trumps Terrible New Move - HuffPost - August 22nd, 2025 [August 22nd, 2025]
- Trump administration Intel proposal criticized as socialism by conservatives - Washington Examiner - August 22nd, 2025 [August 22nd, 2025]
- Socialism: As Popular As the Media Think It Is? - RealClearMarkets - August 22nd, 2025 [August 22nd, 2025]
- Opinion | Zohran Mamdani, the Rise of Socialism and Gen Z Politics - The Wall Street Journal - August 20th, 2025 [August 20th, 2025]
- A Latin American experiment in socialism could be nearing its end - The Washington Post - August 20th, 2025 [August 20th, 2025]
- Are Gen Z The Ones Who Have To Stop Socialism From Taking Over? - News Radio 1200 WOAI - August 20th, 2025 [August 20th, 2025]
- Socialism is defeated as Bolivia heads to presidential election runoff - MSN - August 20th, 2025 [August 20th, 2025]
- Is socialism as popular as the media think? - Washington Examiner - August 20th, 2025 [August 20th, 2025]
- A Centrist Surges in Bolivia as Voters Turn Away From Socialism - The New York Times - August 18th, 2025 [August 18th, 2025]
- What Radicalized You?: Impressions from Socialism 2025 - Weave News - August 18th, 2025 [August 18th, 2025]
- Socialism suffers first defeat in Bolivia in 20 years with right-wing and centrist candidates headed to runoff - Washington Examiner - August 18th, 2025 [August 18th, 2025]
- Will: Why Mamdanis socialism-on-the-Hudson would be useful for America - Longmont Times-Call - August 18th, 2025 [August 18th, 2025]
- Im from Gen Z. We are the ones who have to stop socialism from taking over - Fox News - August 18th, 2025 [August 18th, 2025]
- The Right Stuff: Socialism and other fairytales - Daily Republic - August 18th, 2025 [August 18th, 2025]
- Will: Why Mamdanis socialism-on-the-Hudson would be useful for America - Loveland Reporter-Herald - August 18th, 2025 [August 18th, 2025]
- Opinion | Why Mamdanis socialism-on-the-Hudson would be useful for America - The Washington Post - August 14th, 2025 [August 14th, 2025]
- Editorial Review-Journal: Socialism leads to worse things than expensive food - TheDailyNewsOnline.com - August 14th, 2025 [August 14th, 2025]
- Opinion: Connecticut doesnt need its own Mamdani or socialism - Hartford Courant - August 14th, 2025 [August 14th, 2025]
- The Karol Markowicz Show: The Threat of Socialism with Franklin Camargo - NewsRadio 1000 KTOK - August 14th, 2025 [August 14th, 2025]
- Socialism leads to worse things than expensive food - Times Leader - August 12th, 2025 [August 12th, 2025]
- 65: Malaysian socialist: Why young people are turning to socialism - Green Left - August 12th, 2025 [August 12th, 2025]
- Trump Is Trying To Fast-Track Deportations for People Who Came Here Legally To Flee Socialism and Communism - yahoo.com - August 9th, 2025 [August 9th, 2025]