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Socialism refers to collective ownership of the means of production, thus a classless and stateless international society and the end of exploitation and oppression. It was used as a synonym for communism by Marx, Engels, and many other socialists at the time, but it has also been used to refer to either a 'transitional stage between Capitalism and Communism' proposed by Vladimir Lenin.

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EditSteps

  1. Be a Socialist Step 1.jpg
    1
    Read Marx. Read and analyze the writings of Marx and Engels' Das Kapital[1] for a comprehensive economic analysis of capitalism and the theory of surplus value. Consider the concept of "common ownership of the means of production" or "workers control of the means of production".
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  2. 2
    Read interpretations of Marx. For basic introductory books about Marx consider the following;
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Introducing Marx by Rius (the best),
Introducing Marxism by Rupert Woodfin,
Marx's Kapital for Beginners by David N. Smith and Phil Evans,
An Introduction to Socialism by Leo Huberman
Marx: A Beginner's Guide by Gill Hands,
Rebel's Guide To Marx by Mike Gonzalez,
Socialism: A Very Short Introduction by Michael Newman
Marx: A Very Short Introduction by Peter Singer.



Be a Socialist Step 2.jpg
  1. Be a Socialist Step 3.jpg
    1
    Read Leon Trotsky on international socialism. In Defence of Marxism, The History of the Russian Revolution and The Revolution Betrayed.
  2. 2
    Consider studying less well-known socialist writers. Such as Pierre-Joseph Proudhon, Mikhail Bakunin, Rosa Luxemburg and Daniel De Leon.

    Writings of Daniel DeLeon by Daniel DeLeon
    What is Property by Pierre-Joseph Proudhon
    God and the State by Mikhail Bakunin
    The Basic Bakunin by Mikhail Bakunin
    The Essential Rosa Luxemburg by Rosa Luxemburg
    The Rosa Luxemburg Reader by Kevin B. Anderson
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Be a Socialist Step 4.jpg
  1. Be a Socialist Step 5.jpg
    1
    Buy clothes and stickers with socialist slogans. Some people may ask you about them.
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    2
    Tell your views to people both moderate and extreme. Moderates may agree with some a few things you say, but free market enthusiasts will have a lot of differences with you. Know all you can about history and figures so that you can try to sway the opinions of different people. Collaborate and plan with your supporters. Remember, that many believe that socialism enslaves and oppresses the middle class by handing out unaffordable goodies and then levying higher and higher taxes on those who can supposedly afford to pay. Be prepared to discuss the particulars of countries using the most socialist systems, and know the measures they are taking to try to create a sustainable system.
  3. 3
    Read socialist newspapers and magazines. This will keep you up to date on current affairs. Magazines and news sources such as The Green Left Weekly[2], Indymedia[3], Red Pepper[4], Socialist Worker[5], Socialist Review[6], International Socialist Journal[7], New Internationalist[8], New Left Review[9], New Politics[10], ZMag[11] and Socialist Standard[12].
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Be a Socialist Step 7.jpg
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    1
    Organize solidarity in your workplace. Getting involved in the workers organisation movements is generally considered something socialists engage in.
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    2
    Attend the World Social Forum[13] and the left forum[14] in New York City.
  3. Be a Socialist Step 10.jpg
    3
    Join a socialist party or organization and campaign for socialism.
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EditTips

  • The Marxists Internet Archive is a good resource and has a good student section[15].
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EditWarnings

  • Social democrats or welfare capitalists are not the same as socialists.
  • Some purported "socialists" really want wealth and power concentrated in the hands of the few rather than the many.
  • Keep in mind that many people equate socialism with state capitalism or Communism. Before you start discussions with these people, understand and explain the differences to them.
  • If you are going to argue with someone, keep it civilised.

EditRelated wikiHows

How to
Be an Anarchist

How to
Be a Communist

EditSources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Das_Kapital
  2. ↑ http://www.greenleft.org.au/
  3. ↑ http://www.indymedia.org/
  4. ↑ http://www.redpepper.org.uk/
  5. ↑ http://socialistworker.org/
  6. ↑ http://www.socialistreview.org.uk/
  7. ↑ http://www.isj.org.uk/
  8. ↑ http://www.newint.org/
  9. ↑ http://www.newleftreview.org/
  10. ↑ http://www.newpol.org
  11. ↑ http://www.zmag.org/
  12. ↑ http://www.worldsocialism.org/spgb/standardonline/
  13. ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Social_Forum
  14. ↑ http://www.leftforum.org/
  15. ↑ http://www.marxists.org/subject/students

Article Info

Categories: Political Campaigning and Participation

Recent edits by: Krystle, Rock20000, Gurpreet197897

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Español: Cómo ser un socialista

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