Global definition of socialism?

[Vincent P.]

Let's say we consider all the lefties to be "socialists", just like before the Bakunin-Marx split which divided communists and anarchists. Let put anarchists, anarcho-communists, anarcho-primitivism, collectivist, communists... under the common name of "socialist trends".

Could we find a global definition of socialism which would include all those trends?

[Delirium]

democracy applied to economics

[LOLseph Stalin]

That's hard to say, considering they're all so different.

I guess I could go with collectively organized economics.

[Vincent P.]

Both are interesting, but "collectively" may itch some hardcore do-it-yourself anarchists. :/

I'd go with "a system in which the worker own the product of his work", that is without what I call "capitalist taxation". This would apply no matter how big the organisation is.

[LOLseph Stalin]

Both are interesting, but "collectively" may itch some hardcore do-it-yourself anarchists. :/

Hmm...you're right. I'm not so sure about the first one. I can't exactly say all forms of Socialism are democratic.

[Vincent P.]

Hmm...you're right. I'm not so sure about the first one. I can't exactly say all forms of Socialism are democratic.
Well it's hard to be democratic when there is no "collective economy".

[LOLseph Stalin]

Well it's hard to be democratic when there is no "collective economy".

I was actually referring to forms such as Anti-Revisionism. Doesn't seem democratic at all. I like the idea of direct democracy that Marx and Trotsky advocated.

[autotrophic]

I think the common aim for pretty much all varieties of socialism is to create a society free of exploitation and domination. This is a very broad definition, and can be interpreted in many ways.

[Led Zeppelin]

Let's say we consider all the lefties to be "socialists", just like before the Bakunin-Marx split which divided communists and anarchists. Let put anarchists, anarcho-communists, anarcho-primitivism, collectivist, communists... under the common name of "socialist trends".

Could we find a global definition of socialism which would include all those trends?

All leftists were not considered socialists before the Bakunin-Marx split.

There were utopian socialists, scientific socialists, and a lot of other assorted left-wing tendencies.

I think it would be counterproductive to put contradictory tendencies under a single umbrella-term. It would only cause confusion and chaos in the ranks of the involved people. Actually, because of that it would never work to begin with.

It can only work with people who share a lot in terms of ideology and tactics. I think it could work with the term "Marxism" for a lot of Trotskyists. It may require a revolution to push them towards it, but it can definitely work, and I believe it will.

[The Idler]

an end to exploitation and oppression.

[griffjam]

the means of production is under the control of those who use it

[Vincent P.]

the means of production is under the control of those who use it
I like that one.

[SocialismOrBarbarism]

"Socialism is that social system under which the necessaries of production are owned, controlled and administered by the people, for the people, and under which, accordingly, the cause of political and economic despotism having been abolished, class rule is at an end. That is socialism; nothing short of that." ~ Daniel De Leon

I always use this one.