It's a mess of a title but it's the best I could come up with right now.

I am writing some pages which are written for a general audience. I wish to, really quickly, distinguish the following from each other. Ideally a single term, but if necessary I can add a one-sentence explanation for them, if it's a term a typical person may not intuitively understand.

  • A society wherein the means of production are held in common - a society with a 'socialist economy'
  • A state which aims to achieve such a system, but isn't one yet - a 'pro-socialist state'

Already-established terms are preferred. This is the kind of thing were I'd assume they would have to exist by now, I just can't recall them.

I also want to avoid confusing terms. For example, a communist society is one which has implemented communism, but a communist state is (by definition) one which has not implemented a communist society. So I don't want to call a state which has established socialism a socialist state .....

Is it fine to use 'socialist economy'? I think ideally I wouldn't imply economy is distinct from society, but I don't know if 'socialist society' is different enough from 'socialist state' to avoid confusion.

Is 'socialist state' clear enough to refer to a state which intends to establish a socialist means of production, or should I say 'pro-socialist state' instead?

Maybe 'socialist society' and 'pro-socialist society' are clear enough?

PS: if this fits better in another community, let me know!

  • AssortedBiscuits [they/them]
    ·
    2 years ago

    A society wherein the means of production are held in common - a society with a ‘socialist economy’

    To me, a socialist society is a society with a socialist base and a socialist superstructure. Having a socialist economy is not sufficient. There must be a socialist superstructure as well. The socialist superstructure is represented by a ruling socialist ideology, a ruling socialist org, and a ruling socialist state apparatus (or anarchist equivalent). It doesn't mean literally every single person has to be a socialist, but that the ruling ideology is socialist. Just like a capitalist society has capitalist realism, a socialist society would have a socialist equivalent.