What is Socialism?
Socialism versus the bourgeoisie state
By comrade Ivanko
What is Socialism?
Socialism is a political and economic theory of social organization which advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole. Socialism has liberated, empowered countless nations as well as given hope to billions of people in the last 100+ years that a better world is not only possible, it is inevitable.
What makes socialism at odds with the state?
The state, as it exists today and as it's existed historically is established by and made to enforce the rule of the private owners of the means of production. We refer to this in capitalism as the dictatorship of the bourgeoisie. Since socialism seeks to end that very problem, they are inherently at odds.
What has the state done historically to combat socialism?
To combat the "threat" of socialist revolution the most reactionary elements of the population along with the state have introduced the fake revolutionary rhetoric of fascism. Fascism attempts to introduce regressive policies against the working class--the masses. They do this by preaching division amongst the masses in revolutionary rhetoric.
How is this relevant?
Today all across the world we see the masses falling disillusioned with capitalism and often times for good reason. Many people think and are calling for radical change of the system and doing away with the previous status quo of white supremacy, imperialism, inequality and capitalism. As a consequence, the state along with the most reactionary elements of society, we see the growth of fascist ideology among the people that most benefited from the previous status quo.
Conclusion
The US has made its bed. It openly defends business interests while not even offering crumbs to the poor. While denouncing the "horrors of socialism," an ideology of working class liberation and empowerment, they have refused to denounce the rising threat of fascism. This, of course, is not a surprise since their only purpose is to uphold the status quo and maintain and the dictatorship of business interests (something they're very good at.) Yesterday's vote should serve as a reminder that our politicians do not serve us. They serve the bourgeoisie and are against the liberation of the working class. And if we dare try to liberate ourselves, they will oppose us by any means they deem appropriate. Of course, socialism is not flawless and there can be a principled discussion of their failures, but current revamping of Red Scare Propaganda by those in power is only a small step toward a future of fascist repression of speech, organizing, and anything else that is in the interest of the working class. All members of the working class should take any bit of their propaganda with a grain of salt and ask themselves what is truly in their best interest. As Stalin said it's "either the bourgeoisie and its capitalism, or the proletariat and its socialism!"