SOCIALISM

Socialism is, as the term implies, about being social, about caring for the well being of others who are not in your direct circle of friends, colleagues or family members.

It is characterized by a natural compassion for others and it is displayed by those leaders who feel an instinctive bond with their fellow citizens and are driven by an urgent wish to protect them and improve their life chances. Such leaders require much of their colleagues and demand high quality decision-making and successful outcomes in the fields of health, education and social welfare.

A socialist doesn’t leave such vital services to the mercies of the private sector but endeavors to unite in hybrid form all the best solutions most guaranteed to deliver the best outcomes.

Such a person may not even call him or herself a socialist.

He or she may think themselves a patriot if they think in terms of titles or -isms at all. In this modern age where both right and left have positive elements to them which contribute to overall well being the idea one must stick to one particular -ism has become anachronistic and damaging.

A socialist can also be a conservative in certain circumstances. Being a socialist does not preclude someone from being conservative in attitude. Socialism at its best is not extremist in the least.

The most idealistic and practical of men and women transcend the boxes we try to fit them in.

They have the nous and skills to better conditions for their people and that is what their instinct tells them they must do. These are the few, those with that combination of high intelligence and remarkably practical skills plus a dedication to their people that surpasses all others. They also tend to be inherently honest. Integrity is something they exude, obvious to those around them and relayed constantly and unfailingly through their actions across their entire lives.

They are social. They intend good and this can be felt in their bearing, manner and speech.

Such social-minded men and women involve themselves at the deepest and highest levels, their attributes become recognized and where an opening exists they feel compelled to take on the hardest societal tasks for the sake of others.

Such people are selfless, not selfish. They will not take advantage of others or of their high position and they will seek others like them to join them and act in the same way.

Socialism at its heart is when you feel an inner wish to end injustice, to bring better lives to all around you and all with no intent to benefit yourself or take any advantage of any by others your actions.

In this modern age dogma should have no place. Socialism should not be defined by a strict agenda containing dogma such as universal nationalization. The fundamental impulse is instead to benefit others no matter what the best solution might be from right or from left. If this entails the creation of a hybrid mix of state and private ownership then so be it. If it is the case that resources such as electricity and water used by all would in private hands be exploited to endlessly increase profits then there is a strong case for state-ownership over privatization. Each case should be looked at on its merits, not according to any fixed dogma.

China has a governmental system which has brought many millions out of poverty by combining socialist leadership with private enterprise. The efficiency of this system cannot be denied as an engine to improve the life chances of all Chinese citizens. And the work goes on daily using the income from economic growth for the benefit of all, not just for the few as elsewhere.

Russia has a system of governance much closer to the western model of democracy and multiple parties vie for power and the ability to put their plans for the betterment of Russia into operation. It is led by a president who personifies socialism without being bound by the term. He is one of that rare group described above who are above political labels where the motivation to simply do good for his people is paramount to him. His impulses are naturally socialistic without dogma being involved. He has the intent to do good plus the intelligence and insight to bring that desired good into fruition through overwhelming dedication and determination.

Such is socialism in the modern age... a combination of innate compassion along with a dedication to doing good for all, the determination to seek the very best route to that goal without recourse to any fixed dogma.

Justice flows from the above. All justice comes from good and insightful men and women with an unchanging and undiminishing wish to do what’s right and the knowledge and insight to bring all existing conditions to a higher, better place through the predictable systems of law.

Socialism free of unjust dogmas will always succeed over the selfish concerns inherent in capitalism where exclusion of others is emphasized as it divides the haves from the have-nots in an often brutally unjust and increasingly segregated society. The overwhelmingly capitalist system of the West emphasizes individualism and competition to the exclusion much of the time of unity, solidarity and cooperation, negating the compassionate interweaving of lives.

Socialists in high places, whether they call themselves by this name or not, work to bring people together in harmony, they seek to instill a unity of being and initiate goals that have the aim of improving the lot of all, both high and low. And of course to ease the suffering and lack of life chances experienced by those at the lowest rung of society’s ladder.

This is why the east is the new model of socialism for humanity waiting to be introduced to the west and why the red-in-tooth-and-claw capitalism of the West is a failing system leaving so many out in the cold.

In the east there is a long tradition of extended families where all generations are cared for. There prevails a strong sense of community and individual responsibility and worth within communities. Honesty and diligence are rewarded, dishonesty and irresponsibility are not. The socialism within these communities is deep and serves as an abiding solid foundation for each and every life lived within them.

As a species we are learning that having though important and at time vital is not as important or as vital as being. We see that being is enhanced enormously by our relation to others, working with them, sharing life’s possibilities, pleasures and hardships to further enhance the former and greatly minimize the latter.

As we move forward we will need the unity, compassion and sharing of socialism more and more.

There are significant threats on the horizon from future pandemics to the disasters sure to come from human-caused climate change.

We will need to work together in a spirit of unity, compassion and cooperation if we are to survive with our integrity and honor intact.

We will survive best and with our pride and dignity intact through preserving our innate socialism. Any other course will see us emerge with a guilty conscience due to leaving others behind, unable to truly say we did our best for all.

We need sustainable, caring socialism now.

Without a socialism of the spirit there can be no future truly worth living where our personal and collective honor have not survived.