socialism?

[The Tree]

can anyone give me an acurate definition of socialism and what countrys use this method.or if anyone can give me a website address that would answer my questions that would be appriciated too.

[carolegif]

socialism in most countries means do as I say, not as I do!

carolegif

[gary baldy]

Perhaps this is more helpful:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialism

Keep the red flag flying!
Comrade Baldy

[Drusilla]

http://www.slp.org/what_is.htm

This gives a brief outline, but also reminds us that there has never been a true socialist nation. The USSR and China were dictatorships which had as little in common with true socialism as Tony Blair.
Please check out the works of Robert Owen, The Fabian Society and even William Morris and Albert Einstein before getting bogged down in Marx and Engels, both of whom are too closely and somewhat unfairly linked with the Bolshevik maelstrom in Russia/USSR.

[Drusilla]

This is quite interesting, if you're up for a good read

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/modsbook33.html#Socialist%20Culture

[bernardo]

The economy of a socialist society is based on the common (or collective) ownership of the means of production, distribution and exchange, with these things being organised on a scientific basis to ensure equitable supply of basic needs for all people in the society on the basis of need rather than on the ability to pay. The main purpose of production is for the consumption and enjoyment of what is produced, rather than for the purpose of selling it for a profit. Workers are paid according to the value of what they produce, rather than the basic minimum of what they need to survive. Distribution is organised in socilaism according to the slogan "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need".

In practical terms, it means that the main industries of a country (e.g. coal, iron, steel, agriculture, manufacturing etc) are owned and controlled by the government of the state rather than providing a profit for a minority of private shareholders. Countries with a socialist system include North Korea, Laos, Vietnam, Cuba. China is moving away from socialism, and countries like Venezuela and Bolivia are moving towards socialism.