Socialism is an economic and political philosophy advocating for social ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, as opposed to private ownership. This can take various forms, including public, community, collective, cooperative, or employee ownership. Socialists generally advocate for a society based on social justice, including social equality and economic security.
As a political movement, socialism originated in the revolutionary movements of the 18th century. By the late 19th century, it came to signify anti-capitalism and the desire for a post-capitalist system. There are many varieties of socialism, with some tolerating capitalism as long as the government maintains dominant influence over the economy, while others insist on the abolition of private enterprise. In modern English, socialism often refers to a system where private property and income distribution are subject to social control.
