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View synonyms for socialism

socialism

[ soh-shuh-liz-uhm ]

noun

  1. a theory or system of social organization that advocates the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, capital, land, etc., by the community as a whole, usually through a centralized government.
  2. procedure or practice in accordance with this theory.
  3. (in Marxist theory) the stage following capitalism in the transition of a society to communism, characterized by the imperfect implementation of collectivist principles.


socialism

/ ˈsəʊʃəˌlɪzəm /

noun

  1. an economic theory or system in which the means of production, distribution, and exchange are owned by the community collectively, usually through the state. It is characterized by production for use rather than profit, by equality of individual wealth, by the absence of competitive economic activity, and, usually, by government determination of investment, prices, and production levels Compare capitalism
  2. any of various social or political theories or movements in which the common welfare is to be achieved through the establishment of a socialist economic system
  3. (in Leninist theory) a transitional stage after the proletarian revolution in the development of a society from capitalism to communism: characterized by the distribution of income according to work rather than need
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


socialism

  1. An economic system in which the production and distribution of goods are controlled substantially by the government rather than by private enterprise , and in which cooperation rather than competition guides economic activity. There are many varieties of socialism. Some socialists tolerate capitalism , as long as the government maintains the dominant influence over the economy; others insist on an abolition of private enterprise. All communists are socialists, but not all socialists are communists.


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Other Words From

  • pre·social·ism noun
  • semi·social·ism noun
  • un·social·ism noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of socialism1

First recorded in 1830–40; social + -ism
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Example Sentences

He expected European capitalism to evolve spontaneously into a market socialism of worker-owned cooperatives.

So a United States senator has no idea what "national socialism" means.

But at any rate, we have to change course because our country is headed for national socialism.

These, he insisted, were harbingers of the twin plagues of socialism and secular humanism.

“Welfarism,” as Goldwater constantly called welfare, was the path to socialism.

Now many people think that we are moving in the direction of world socialism to-day.

Many people when presented with the argument above, would settle it at once with the word "socialism."

Thus seen, socialism appeared as the very antithesis of law and order, of love and chastity, and of religion itself.

It remained for the age of machinery and power to bring forth another and a vastly more potent socialism.

Socialism, like every other impassioned human effort, will flourish best under martyrdom.

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social intelligencesocial isolation