What Is Socialism?

It's a big word with a simple goal: an economy that works for everyone, not just the few.

Socialism in a Nutshell

  • Collective Ownership

    Key industries and services should be owned by the public, not private corporations.

  • Production for Need

    The economy should focus on providing for people's basic needs, not just generating profit.

  • Democratic Control

    Modern socialism emphasizes democracy and giving workers more say in their workplaces.

Meet the Pioneers

Portrait representing Karl Marx

Karl Marx

The Revolutionary

Class Struggle

"The theory of the Communists may be summed up in the single sentence: Abolition of private property."

Portrait representing Bernie Sanders

Bernie Sanders

The Modern Democrat

Economic Justice

"A nation will not survive morally or economically when so few have so much, while so many have so little."

The Great Divide: Types of Socialism

Revolutionary Socialism (Communism)

  • Overthrow Capitalism: Believes the system is too broken to be reformed.
  • Abolish Private Property: All means of production are owned by the state/community.
  • Centralized State: A strong, often single-party government controls the economy.
VS

Democratic Socialism

  • Work Within the System: Use elections and democracy to create change.
  • Mix of Ownership: Public ownership of key industries, but private small businesses can exist.
  • Multi-Party Democracy: Protects free speech, elections, and political freedom.

So, where do YOU fit in?

You've seen the ideas. Now see how your own views measure up on the political spectrum.

Take the Free Test

A Deeper Dive

What Is Socialism, Really?

When people hear “socialism,” they often think of big government, lost freedoms, or cold war propaganda. But that’s not the whole picture. At its heart, socialism is an idea about fairness in how we run the economy and provide for people’s basic needs.

The Basics: Who Owns What?

In a capitalist society—like the United States—most things are privately owned. That means companies, factories, and even schools or hospitals are usually run by private people or corporations. Their main goal? Profit. Socialism challenges this. It argues that some things—especially important things like healthcare, housing, or transportation—shouldn’t be run just to make money. Instead, they should be owned by the public (through the government or local communities) and managed for the benefit of everyone.

Protestor wearing a Guy Fawkes mask, representing social activism

But Isn’t That Communism?

Not exactly. Though socialism and communism are related, they’re not the same. Here's a quick difference:

  • Communism (as described by Karl Marx) calls for the complete removal of private property and is often associated with single-party, authoritarian states.
  • Socialism, especially in its modern democratic forms, allows for personal property and operates within a democratic system.

Democratic Socialism vs. Social Democracy

Not all socialists want a big revolution. Many support democratic socialism. That means keeping a democratic political system but adding more economic fairness. A great introduction to this can be found in The ABCs of Socialism, edited by Bhaskar Sunkara.

You’ll also hear the term social democracy. It’s not full socialism, but it borrows some ideas. Countries like Norway or Sweden are examples. They still have private businesses and free markets, but also provide universal healthcare, free college, and strong workers’ rights. As Nathan J. Robinson explains in Why You Should Be a Socialist, social democracy doesn’t aim to end capitalism—it tries to tame it.

Demonstrators advocating for democratic socialism

What Do Socialists Actually Want?

Socialists aren’t all the same, but here’s what many agree on:

  • Access to basic goods and services for everyone—like housing, education, and healthcare.
  • Less inequality between the rich and the poor.
  • More public control over major industries that affect our lives—like energy or transportation.
  • A fairer system where profit isn’t the only goal.

Is Socialism Growing in the United States?

Yes. More young people in the U.S. now support some form of socialism. Politicians like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have helped bring these ideas into the mainstream. At the same time, books like Socialism...Seriously by Danny Katch break down what socialism means in plain words, arguing it's about creating more freedom for more people.

The Bottom Line

Socialism is a broad idea that has changed over time. But at its core, it’s about creating an economy that serves people—especially those who work hard but don’t see the rewards. It asks big questions: Should billionaire profit come before basic human needs? Can we have both freedom and fairness?