3 Ways to Be a Socialist

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

The aim of socialism is the collectivization of the means of production, even though socialists often differ on how to achieve this: revolution, reform or the creation of agreements to live and work in small socialist communities. Socialism is a deep and complex philosophy with several variations. To explore it thoroughly, you need to read a lot and discuss different topics with socialists. As far as you are aware of this philosophical and political current, there are numerous forms of action that you can resort to to advance the socialist cause or put your ideals into practice.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Practice Socialism in Your Reality

Step 1. Talk to people from all industries

There are many branches and philosophies within socialism, but the main goal is cooperation and opposition to different hierarchical forms, such as those based on money, social class or criteria of ethnic origin. Look for people you don't normally get the chance to meet, especially clerks and blue-collar workers in poorly paid or struggling jobs at the bottom of these hierarchies. This you will not be a socialist, but you will be able to achieve a more realistic and detailed understanding of the realities that socialism seeks to eliminate.

Realize that most socialists want to restructure society to eliminate this kind of suffering and not simply alleviate it through personal charity

Step 2. Run a campaign against inequality

Socialism has long been associated with the struggle against all kinds of oppression, not only of an economic or social nature.

• Try to inform yourself and try to get involved with movements that work to end hatred of immigrants, racism and discrimination based on sex, gender and sexual choice. Even movements that carry out little-talked about causes, such as those in defense of prisoners' rights and conditions of detention, have been supported by socialists for over a century.

  • Consider joining an organization that educates people about these issues, advocates their cause, and helps oppressed people.
  • Report when you witness discrimination. Report employers when they are guilty of discriminatory acts. To this end, you will need to know the anti-discrimination laws in the country where you live, which protect citizens belonging to minorities or groups against possible violence, persecution or hate crime. Take a look at the directives established by the European Union.

  

  Step 3. Make some changes in the place where you work

  If you are employed in a small business or if you receive the greatest respect in the workplace, you can support a fairer payment system or one that gives lower-level employees the opportunity to contribute ideas and participate in decision-making. Even if you are not in a position to make changes in the place you work, you can certainly file a petition or lawsuit if management decisions are oppressive, whether it is employee maltreatment or discriminatory hiring practices.

  You can persuade small business owners who want to retire or who want to turn the business around to sell the business to their employees. Although the operation can take different forms depending on the legal path that the owner decides to take, it can be the starting point for setting up a cooperative or at least more egalitarian work system, in which current employees can share profits. between them

  

  Step 4. Form a union in the workplace

  Throughout history, the relationship between trade unions and socialists has always been controversial, as it has experienced moments of collaboration, but also periods of conflict. However, even if you are part of an anti-socialist union, you can find non-socialist allies to work with to achieve common goals, such as workers' rights.

  

  Step 5. Work from within the union

  Ironically, many unions are organized in hierarchies based on systems that favor certain figures or are ineffective in defending the labor rights of their members. If you work actively in a union and show that you are a serious and efficient member, you can change this. Note that discussing socialism will likely be less effective than educating all members on what to do and encouraging them to engage in meetings and discussions on strategies to adopt.

  Some socialist organizations recommend serving on the union base for six months before trying to make major changes

  

  Step 6. Set up a cooperative life or community work system

  There are different types of cooperatives, but the basic idea is a community whose members make decisions and share equally in the benefits obtained. Therefore, it is a group of friends who distribute income and resources evenly among themselves or a cooperative in which all workers have equal decision-making power in commercial matters.

  Method 2 of 3: Joining Larger Socialist Movements

  

  Step 1. Become part of a socialist organization

  Learn about the philosophy and methods of different organizations before joining, as they can vary widely from your socialist ideals. A broad international coalition in which many socialist organizations can be found is the Progressive Alliance.

  • If you live in the United States, consider the International Socialist Organization or the Democratic Socialists of America.
  • In many European countries, socialist parties or socialist sympathizers hold seats in national parliaments, as well as in the parliament of the European Union.
  • If you live in Latin America, the Foro de Sao Paulo gathers many socialist organizations.
  • If you live in Asia or Africa, there are many socialist movements, but they are generally only active at the regional or national level.

  

  Step 2. Defend a socialist cause within another movement

  Sometimes the more moderate socialists prefer to support candidates from other political parties or put pressure on non-socialist leaders in power. Join or work for some time with a widely recognized progressive organization for a chance to push your ideas forward.

  This strategy is more common in the United States, where socialists rarely succeed in elections. However, since August 2014, a Socialist and Democrat has taken office in the Senate: Bernie Sanders

  

  Step 3. Attend international socialist meetings

  Consider taking a trip to attend an international socialist or progressive conference. Often people come from a wide variety of socialist philosophical currents with whom you can discuss your ideas and get in touch.

  • Find out about upcoming international conferences, such as Socialism, Marxism and the World Social Forum.
  • The Left Forum is a progressive academic congress held in New York and has its roots in socialism.

  Method 3 of 3: Learn about Socialism

  

  Step 1. Read the introductory works

  Socialism is a complex philosophy that has given rise to many interpretations, lines of action and ideas. If you are unfamiliar with its history and basic concepts, start reading books that introduce you to the subject, such as the following:

  • Introducing Marxism by Rius, an informative and entertaining comic book guide.
  • Introduction to Socialism by Leo Huberman and Paul Sweezy, written in 1968 by two socialist intellectuals.
  • Introducing Marxism by Rupert Woodfin
  • Marx's Kapital for Beginners by David N. Smith and Phil Evans
  • Marx: A Very Short Introduction by Peter Singer
  • Socialism: A Very Short Introduction by Michael Newman

  

  Step 2. Read Marx and Engels

  Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, who lived in the nineteenth century in Germany, wrote texts considered fundamental for socialist philosophy, in particular "Capital". The "Manifesto of the Communist Party", a much shorter book, is a good synthesis of their philosophy and the socio-economic analysis they have carried out.

  Many Marxist and socialist texts can be found free of charge on the Internet, for example in the Marxists Internet Archive

  

  Step 3. Read Leo Trotsky

  Leo Trotsky, a 20th century Russian Marxist and revolutionary, became the main socialist leader in opposition to Stalinism. It currently has a great influence on many modern socialist movements and has also given birth to an entire branch of socialist theory, known as Trotskyism or "permanent revolution". His works include In Defense of Marxism, History of the Russian Revolution and The Betrayed Revolution.

  

  Step 4. Look for other socialist authors

  There are many other socialist authors who have written from different perspectives, countries and eras. Find works by Pierre-Joseph Proudhon, Mikhail Bakunin, Rosa Luxemburg and Daniel De Leon, or read introductory works about them.

  

  Step 5. Find out about socialist newspapers and magazines

  The socialist press is often more international in character than when it spreads through other media, and can be a useful tool for discovering the various socialist perspectives on current events. Some examples include The Green Left Weekly, Indymedia, Red Pepper, Socialist Worker, Socialist Review, International Socialist, New Internationalist, New Left Review, New Politics, ZMag, and Socialist Standard.