I see the meme of R.Wolff making fun of the idea that socialism is when 'the government does stuff'. I unironically thought... that was what socialism was...? Regulations, public programs, increased oversight by a body that isn't incentivised by profit? These are all government initiatives right?

Tell me why i'm wrong.

  • Coolkidbozzy [he/him]
    ·
    4 years ago

    Socialism is public ownership of the means of production. The means of production could be centralized and planned by a government, but it doesn't have to be. It depends on the conditions at the time. Socialism also does away with the profit motive. If there was still a market structure, the government would probably have to intervene in it. But governments intervene and do stuff in all structures so that isn't really a useful way of describing socialism

    But I have barely read theory so go read theory and get back to me