The original meaning of socialism according to Marx was the end stage of history in which human inequality would disapear. As presently used it generally means “moderate communism.” Which I think is more accurately called “squeamish communism.”
Under true socialism (original sense of the word) there would be no employers or employees. All would work for the good of all without any need for governments or money.
In its present sense of the word socialism means essentially welfare state capitalism. I think under such conditions employers, who still exist, have even less reason to care about any individual worker, as the state will take care of everybody.
Thanks, Sherman Logan. During my college years, I fancied myself a Marxist of sorts. Now, reading your definition “the end stage of history in which human inequality would disappear” and “all would work for the good of all without any need for governments or money” I can see so clearly what an impossible underpining those theories are for establishing governments. It seems that underlying all the “isms” is a population that naively believes a seriously flawed model of human nature, and are then ruthlessly exploited by those who simply want whatever they can get. Am I getting closer?
Acckk.
Sorry, mixed up my idiotic utopian terminology.
In Marxist theology, socialism is the intermediate stage leading up to full blown communism in which the state finally fades away.