Socialism: Core Ideas

This lesson examines the core ideas and principles of socialism — one of the three core ideologies in the Edexcel A-Level Politics specification. Socialism emerged as a response to the inequalities and exploitation of industrial capitalism.

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The Origins of Socialism

Socialism emerged in the early 19th century as a critique of industrial capitalism: appalling working conditions, child labour, extreme poverty, and enormous wealth inequality.

Early socialists argued these problems were inherent features of capitalism — a system that prioritised profit over people.

Key early socialists include Robert Owen (model factory communities), Henri de Saint-Simon (planned industry), and Charles Fourier (self-sufficient communities). Marx later called them utopian socialists.

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Core Principles of Socialism

1. Equality

Equality is the central value of socialism. Socialists believe resources, opportunities, and power should be distributed far more equally than under capitalism.

Types of equality socialists seek:

• Social equality — reducing the gap between rich and poor through redistribution.
• Equality of outcome — ensuring broadly similar economic positions.
• Equality of opportunity — fair starting points (overlapping with modern liberalism but going further).