How is Socialism an utopian concept.pptx

How socialism is viewed and how it can be called a utopian concept.

1. Socialism: An Utopian Concept Socialism: An Utopian Concept Presented by: Amin, Rakesh, Shivanand & Shreyank

2. What is Utopia? Utopia is an ideal community or society possessing a desirable socio-politico-legal system. Coined in Greek by Sir Thomas More for his 1516 book Utopia, describing a fictional island in the Atlantic Ocean. The English homophone eutopia, derived from the Greek εὖ ("good" or "well") and τόπος ("place"), means "good place".

3. What is Socialism? During the Industrial Revolution, very few people became enormously rich. Most stayed poor. There was uneven distribution of wealth. Many felt the only way to change was to take over ownership of the means of production. Capital and equipment used to produce and exchange goods.

4. Utopian Socialism Popular during 1700-1850 and key Figures were: Henri De Saint-Simon Charles Fourier Robert Owens The competitive market economy is unjust and irrational Universal togetherness rather than class struggle Cooperative Communities tried it, but were unsuccessful

5. Utopian Socialism Utopian socialists wanted a perfect world: Equality of the sexes No war or fighting Organized, pleasant towns Shared wealth & education for all Cooperative living and communal property

6. SOCIALISM Search for a perfect world (Utopia) Socialism gives birth to three UTOPIAN beliefs

7. About Socialism Socialists – viewed the capitalist system as inherently wrong Belief that capitalism is designed to create poverty and poor working conditions because of its end goal of earning maximum profits for investors Socialism – government owns the means of production Belief that if the government (“the people”) owns the means of production, these factories and industries will function in the public (as opposed to private) interest

8. Early Socialists Early Socialist Movement First socialists were Utopians Strove to create a fair and just system Community divided tasks and rewards equitably Robert Owen Charles Fourier Claude Saint-Simon Louis Blanc

9. Robert Owen (1771-1858) Utopian socialist Owned a textile factory in New Lanark, Scotland Set up a model community in New Harmony, Indiana Decreased working hours Improved working conditions and employee housing Shared management and profits with employees Proved that a socialist-based company could be profitable Early Socialists

10. Charles Fourier (1772-1837) French philosopher Coined the term féminisme Advocated concern and cooperation as the means to create social harmony Considered poverty to be the main cause of society’s problems Envisioned workers (paid at least a minimum wage) living in “phalanxes” – communities living in a large shared structure Early Socialists

11. Claude Henri de Saint-Simon ( 1760-1825 ) As a young man he was in the Thirteen Colonies as part of the French assistance effort during the American Revolution French socialist philosopher Believed all human beings naturally greedy and eager to obtain wealth and higher social positions These tendencies were to be eradicated through education Advocated an end to inheritances Movement of wealth from rich, powerful families to the state, which is an instrument of the people Early Socialists

12. Louis Blanc - French socialist philosopher and politician Blamed society’s ills on the pressure of competition “From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs.” Came to political power during the Revolution of 1848 Instituted labor reforms – believed everyone had the right to work Terrible June Days – forced from power after Blanc’s chief rival let Blanc’s public workshops (designed to give work to the unemployed) fail. Returned to France, restored to power, and given a state funeral after his death. His writings greatly influenced later socialists Early Socialists

13. Modern Days Utopias Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels referred to all socialist ideas that were simply a vision and distant goal for society as utopian, they termed it as "scientific socialism“. They were categorized as scientists who drew up elaborate designs and concepts for creating what socialists considered a more equal society. Contrastingly they were likened as engineers by scientific socialists . Utopian socialists generally don't feel class struggle or political revolutions are necessary to implement their ideas. This form of cooperative socialism can be established among like-minded people within the existing society and establish small enterprises designed to demonstrate their plan for society .

14. EcoVillage at Ithaca, located in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of upstate New York , is part of a growing global movement for a saner, more sustainable human culture . An intentional community and a non-profit educational organization . Project is developing an alternative model for suburban living which provides a satisfying, healthy, socially rich lifestyle, while minimizing ecological impacts . EcoVillage at Ithaca, New York,

15. EcoVillage currently includes two 30-home cohousing neighborhoods, FROG and SONG, and a third neighborhood TREE in the planning stages. Includes organic vegetable farm, an organic U-Pick berry farm, office spaces for cottage industry, a neighborhood root cellar, community gardens and varied natural areas . Residents share common dinners several times per week in the two Common Houses, and volunteer about 2-3 hours per week on various work teams to keep things running smoothly, also includes plenty of neighborly support for families in need, various annual celebrations to mark the seasons, and lots of ad hoc parties, music jams etc. Community decisions are through a consensus process. EcoVillage at Ithaca, New York.

16. An intentional community in rural central Virginia . Built on socialist ideas like cooperation, sharing, nonviolence, equality, and ecology. Governed by democracy through managers, planners and committees and has no Central Leader. Income sharing, where there are 42 hour work weeks. Members receive housing, food, healthcare and personal spending money from the community. Twin Oaks Community at Louisa, Virginia.

17. Bernard Arnault (CEO of Dior and Louis Vuitton Arnault) — the richest man in Europe — has ignited an uproar in France. The face of “Made in France” confirmed that he had applied for dual citizenship in Belgium. This action was to dodge the new Socialist government's planned 75% on the country's wealthiest. More appealingly, he could take advantage of the cherished tax-free status that Belgians hold in Monaco - provided he renounced his French nationality. Tax the rich in France…?

18. Why is Socialism a Utopian Concept

19. Why Socialism doesn’t work…?

20. Why Socialism doesn’t work…? Detrimental unintended consequences of socialism: Money that goes to the government ends up being wasted. Money ends up in the hands of the rich and politically connected. Concentrates money and power in the hands of the government. The richer you are, the easier it is for you to avoid increasing taxation. A soak-the-rich, high tax strategy inhibits the economy. And who is hurt the most by a slow economy? Not the rich…! The transfer of earned wealth that socialist policies mandate are a detriment to entrepreneurship and innovation. Entrepreneurship and innovation are driven by the potential for material rewards . Contd…

21. Why Socialism doesn’t work…? High taxes and government regulations make it more difficult to start and grow a business. Social programs create more demand and need for those very programs because, people come to expect and rely on them . Social programs are a disincentive to work and act responsibly. Less or no emphasis on work ethic, productivity, financial responsibility and family obligations ? Hence, Socialism causes a vicious cycle of decreasing revenues and increasing demand for social spending that results in a socialist government running out of money and having ‘no choice’ but to perpetuated tax increases to every level of society, rich and poor.

22. Some real life scenarios… In “real life” people don’t start from the same point, but everyone starts out with opportunity. Carol Bartz, a well-known CEO, started out life with the worst of hands dealt to her. She had the same level of opportunity in life that one might say inner-city kids have. What the economics class experiment is really saying is that if rewards for succeeding are eliminated by government policies, no one will even try. A compassionate society takes care of its widows and orphans, but we don’t want to create a system in which no one tries. “Trying” is baked into the U.S. Constitution. It’s called bankruptcy.

23. Mixed economy the best of both worlds Its happy combination of private enterprise with government enterprise and private ownership and profit earning . Government guidance and control so as to stop evil economic, pressures . It is helpful in increasing national production in the country using all national resources to optimum. It prevails in most of the countries of the world as it promotes country’s growth .

24. That’s a wrap, folks ! Thank You