Word Study
socialism
CIDE DICTIONARY
socialism, n. [Cf. F. socialisme.].
A theory or system of social reform which contemplates a complete reconstruction of society, with a more just and equitable distribution of property and labor. In popular usage, the term is often employed to indicate any lawless, revolutionary social scheme. See Communism, Fourierism, Saint-Simonianism, forms of socialism. [1913 Webster]
"[Socialism] was first applied in England to Owen's theory of social reconstruction, and in France to those also of St. Simon and Fourier . . . The word, however, is used with a great variety of meaning, . . . even by economists and learned critics. The general tendency is to regard as socialistic any interference undertaken by society on behalf of the poor, . . . radical social reform which disturbs the present system of private property . . . The tendency of the present socialism is more and more to ally itself with the most advanced democracy." [1913 Webster]
"We certainly want a true history of socialism, meaning by that a history of every systematic attempt to provide a new social existence for the mass of the workers." [1913 Webster]
-- Socialism of the chair [G. katheder socialismus ] , a term applied about 1872, at first in ridicule, to a group of German political economists who advocated state aid for the betterment of the working classes.
OXFORD DICTIONARY
socialism, n.
1 a political and economic theory of social organization which advocates that the community as a whole should own and control the means of production, distribution, and exchange.
2 policy or practice based on this theory.
1 a political and economic theory of social organization which advocates that the community as a whole should own and control the means of production, distribution, and exchange.
2 policy or practice based on this theory.
Derivative
socialist n. & adj. socialistic adj. socialistically adv.
Etymology
F socialisme (as SOCIAL)
THESAURUS
socialism
Fabian socialism, Fabianism, Marxian socialism, Marxism, Nazism, Saint-Simonism, centralism, collective farm, collective ownership, collectivism, collectivity, collegiality, common ownership, communal effort, communion, communism, community, constitutionalism, cooperation, cooperative society, democracy, democratism, fascism, federalism, feudalism, feudality, governmentalism, guild socialism, imperialism, kibbutz, kolkhoz, monarchism, national socialism, nationalization, neofascism, parliamentarianism, parliamentarism, phalansterism, pluralism, political principles, profit sharing, public ownership, republicanism, royalism, sharecropping, state ownership, state socialism, statism, town meeting, utopian socialismROGET THESAURUS
socialism
Government
N government, legal authority, soveriegn, sovereign authority, authority, master, direction, national government, nation, state, country, nation- state, dominion, republic, empire, union, democratic republic, kingdom, principality, state government, state, shire, province, county, canton, territory, duchy, archduchy, archdukedom, woiwodshaft, commonwealth, region, property, county, parish city, domain, tract, arrondissement, mofussil, commune, wappentake, hundred, riding, lathe, garth, soke, tithing, ward, precinct, bailiwick, command, empire, sway, rule, dominion, domination, sovereignty, supremacy, suzerainty, lordship, headship, chiefdom, seigniory, seigniority, rule, sway, command, control, administer, govern, lead, preside over, reign, possess the throne, be seated on the throne, occupy the throne, sway the scepter, wield the scepter, wear the crown, state, realm, body politic, posse comitatus, judicature, cabinet, seat of government, seat of authority, headquarters, accession, installation, politics, reign, regime, dynasty, directorship, dictatorship, protectorate, protectorship, caliphate, pashalic, electorate, presidency, presidentship, administration, proconsul, consulship, prefecture, seneschalship, magistrature, magistracy, monarchy, kinghood, kingship, royalty, regality, aristarchy, aristocracy, oligarchy, democracy, theocracy, demagogy, commonwealth, dominion, heteronomy, republic, republicanism, socialism, collectivism, mob law, mobocracy, ochlocracy, vox populi, imperium in imperio, bureaucracy, beadledom, bumbledom, stratocracy, military power, military government, junta, feodality, feudal system, feudalism, thearchy, theocracy, dinarchy, duarchy, triarchy, heterarchy, duumvirate, triumvirate, autocracy, autonomy, limited monarchy, constitutional government, constitutional monarchy, home rule, representative government, monocracy, pantisocracy, gynarchy, gynocracy, gynaeocracy, petticoat government, legislature, judiciary, administration, office of the president, office of the prime minister, cabinet, senate, house of representatives, parliament, council, courts, supreme court, state, interior, labor, health and human services, defense, education, agriculture, justice, commerce, treasury, Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, Central Intelligence Agency, CIA, National Institutes of Health, NIH, Postal Service, Post Office, Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, president, vice president, cabinet member, prime minister, minister, senator, representatative, president pro tem, speaker of the house, department head, section head, section chief, federal judge, justice, justice of the supreme court, chief justice, treasurer, secretary of the treasury, director of the FBI, governor, state cabinet member, state senator, assemblyman, assemblywoman, regal, sovereign, governing, royal, royalist, monarchical, kingly, imperial, imperiatorial, princely, feudal, aristocratic, autocratic, oligarchic, republican, dynastic, ruling, regnant, gubernatorial, imperious, authoritative, executive, administrative, clothed with authority, official, departmental, ex officio, imperative, peremptory, overruling, absolute, hegemonic, hegemonical, authorized, government, public, national, federal, his majesty's, her majesty's, state, county, city, N, a dog's obeyed in office, cada uno tiene su alguazil, le Roi le veut, regibus esse manus en nescio longas, regnant populi, the demigod Authority, the right divine of kings to govern wrong, uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.Politics
N politics, political science, candidacy, campaign, campaigning, electioneering, partisanship, ideology, factionalism, election, poll, ballot, vote, referendum, recall, initiative, voice, suffrage, plumper, cumulative vote, plebiscitum, plebiscite, vox populi, electioneering, voting, elective franchise, straight ticket, opinion poll, popularity poll, issue, opinion, stand, position, program, platform, party line, democracy, republicanism, communism, statism, state socialism, socialism, conservatism, toryism, liberalism, whigism, theocracy, constitutional monarchy, party, Democratic Party, Republican Party, Socialist Party, Communist Party, Federalist Party, Bull Moose Party, Abolitionist Party, Christian Democratic Party, Social Democratic Party, National Socialist Worker's Party, Nazi Party, Liberal Party, Labor Party, Conservative Party, ticket, slate, politician activist, candidate, aspirant, hopeful, office-seeker, front- runner, dark horse, long shot, shoo-in, supporter, backer, political worker, campaign worker, lobbyist, contributor, party hack, ward heeler, regional candidate, favorite son, running mate, stalking horse, perpetual candidate, political animal, political contribution, campaign contribution, political action committee, PAC, political district, electoral division, electoral district, bailiwick, electorate, constituents, get-out-the-vote campaign, political education, negative campaigning, dirty politics, smear campaign, also-ran, loser, has-been, office holder, official, occupant of a position, public servant, incumbent, winner, political, partisan, Money is the mother's milk of politics.Participation
N participation, cotenancy, joint tenancy, occupancy in common, possession in common, tenancy in common, joint stock, common stock, co-partnership, partnership, communion, community of possessions, community of goods, communism, socialism, cooperation, snacks, coportion, picnic, hotchpot, co-heirship, co-parceny, co- parcenary, gavelkind, participator, sharer, co-partner, partner, shareholder, co-tenant, joint tenant, tenants in common, co-heir, co-parcener, communist, socialist, partaking, communistic, share and share alike.Philanthropy
N philanthropy, humanity, humanitarianism universal benevolence, endaemonism, deliciae humani generis, cosmopolitanism utilitarianism, the greatest happiness of the greatest number, social science, sociology common weal, socialism, communism, Fourierism, phalansterianism, Saint Simonianism, patriotism, civism, nationality, love of country, amor patriae, public spirit, chivalry, knight errantry, generosity, philanthropist, endaemonist, utilitarian, Benthamite, socialist, communist, cosmopolite, citizen of the world, amicus humani generis, knight errant, patriot, philanthropic, humanitarian, utilitarian, cosmopolitan, public- spirited, patriotic, humane, large-hearted, chivalric, generous, pro bono publico, pro aris et focis, humani nihil a me alienum puto, omne solum forti patria, un bien fait n'est jamais perdu.For further exploring for "socialism" in Webster Dictionary Online