Category:Socialism

The term Socialism or Socialist can refer to several related things:
 * 1) An ideology or a group of ideologies.
 * 2) An economic system.
 * 3) A social structure.
 * 4) A state that exists or has existed.
 * 5) In Marxist theory, the society that would succeed capitalism
 * 6) and in some cases it will develop further into communism.

The word dates back at least to the early nineteenth century. It has been used differently in different times and places, both by various individuals and groups that consider themselves socialist and by their opponents. While there is wide variation between socialist groups, nearly all would agree that socialism entails an economic system based on public ownership of the means of production that would serve the broad populace rather than a favored few, and a social environment defined by either equality of opportunity in the form of meritocracy or egalitarianism, or equality of condition.