Such measures help to humanise the existing economic system rather than scrapping it altogether in hope of some ‘New Jerusalem.’ On a related point, it is perhaps worth noting that the division between reformists and radicals/revolutionaries is a feature of all those ideologies committed to substantial change. Those on the centre-left of the political spectrum advocate gradual and piecemeal tactics towards lasting social change. In contrast to their more left-wing brethren, social democrats endorse a far less radical approach. The democratic process therefore offers the most preferable route towards a socialist economic system.

In doing so, there is no need for the bloody revolution prescribed by Marxists. Such measures can be achieved on an evolutionary basis. By gaining an electoral mandate from the people, a socialist government could utilise a system based upon parliamentary sovereignty to implement a programme of nationalisation, centralisation, protectionism and co-operatives run by the workers.

As the state is an instrument of class control, it too will also collapse as predicted by Friedrich Engels (“when freedom exists there will be no state”).ĭemocratic socialists however endorse the parliamentary route towards a socialist system. After the short-lived creation of a dictatorship of the proletariat and the collapse of capitalism, class conflict will come to an end. As a result of class consciousness, the gravediggers of capitalism will finally realise their shared common interest in the overhaul of an economic system built upon exploitation. However, there is considerable disagreement amongst socialists over the means towards building a better alternative to capitalism.Īccording to revolutionary socialists, the transformation of society lies in the hands of the proletariat. Each strand of socialist thought seeks a transformation in the economic structure of society.

Fabian socialite definition