Who is considered the father of socialism.. or if i were to want to understand the socialist philosophy...?

Question

i have read jean-jacques rosseau (sp) and marx, are there any other works that may help me understand the original philosophy and agenda of socialism?

Answer 1

Marx (and to a lesser degree Engels) is considered the "father" of socialism. He is the one who took things like the writings of Rousseau and took them to their logical and complete conclusion. If you read him, and understand him, then you understand socialism.

He got many of his ideas from writers who wrote about Utopian socialism, which was slightly different. If you want to understand them, you'll want to read Plato's "Repulic", Thomas More's "Utopia", Francis Bacon's "New Atlantis", and the writers who wrote around the time of the French Revolution. Also check out Robert Owen--he was touched on in a class I had in college, but I don't think he actually wrote anything--he was too busy practicing to write. Also, read "The Motorcycle Diaries" by Ernesto "Che" Guevara. That one is really good because it shows a man who started out happy in his middle class niche and who discovered the need for socialism in South and Latin America. Read anything you can on Guevara. Read about Castro, too.

You might also look at Mother Jones. She was a prominent socialist who was born in Ireland, but came to the US and was deeply involved in the movement to unionize industry. Her belief in labor unions stemmed from her socialist ideals. I include her because she's a favorite, and if you go to a decent library, you can probably find the magazine of the same name, which is full of information about how socialism functions today, and the areas in society on which it touches.

You could also read about prominent communists and socialists who have practiced socialism in the 20th Century, but the problem is that most of them tied their political views to their egos, and became complete menaces. The list of socialists reads like a list of the most prolific mass murderers of the era, and none of them practiced socialism in its pristine state.

Good luck. If I think of anything else, I will come back and add an edit to my post.

Answer 2

My dear Nucani...

GUESS  WHAT ??? I happen to live in the town, where Karl Marx was born and just today I happen to pass by his Birth-house on my way home...there were quite a few chinese tourist  (they frequently visit the house where he was born in, which is like a little museum) in front of the house, accross the street to take pictures of the house, etc.- As a matter of fact, I have a few post-cards here I could send you, if you like me to....just let me know !!!

Personally, I consider him the "number ONE" !!! And if James Brown was "The Godfather of Soul"...then most definately one must consider Karl Marx as "The Father of Socialism"... -AMEN-

Wish you all the best for the future !!! Greetings from Trier, Germany & lots of love from... Annette***

Answer 3

Marx is only responsible for the "Marxist" version of socialism. But in fact, socialism existed for centuries earlier. The Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock were socialists!

http://www.marginalrevolution.com/margin...

http://freedomkeys.com/thanksgiving.htm

Even the Bible had socialism in it.

"All that believed were together, and had all things in common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

(Acts 2:44-45)

"There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. There was a Levite, a native of Cyprus, Joseph, to whom the apostles gave the name Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”). He sold a field that belonged to him, then brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

(Acts 4:34-37)

"Is it possible that Marx’s famous line “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need” took its inspiration directly from the New Testament? Immediately following this second passage is a very interesting story about a couple, Ananias and Sapphira, who sold a piece of property but only gave the community a portion of the proceeds, keeping some of it for themselves. When Peter confronts them with this, they both fall down and die - leaving the impression (for many people) that they were struck dead.

"Killing bourgeoisie land owners who fail to give all of their money to the community? That’s not merely communism, that’s Stalinism. "

http://atheism.about.com/od/thebible/a/c...

Answer 4

Notable proto-socialists and early socialists include the French revolutionary Gracchus Babeuf, Henri de Saint-Simon, Charles Fourier, Robert Owen, the British liberal Thomas Hodgskin, Josiah Warren, Pierre Leroux, Pierre-Joseph Proudhon, Karl Marx, Ferdinand Lassalle, and others.

Socialism goes back to the 1790s, but the main present-day traditions within socialism (anarchism, Marxism, and others), go back to the 1820s-1840s, and developed in reaction to each other.

I'd suggest contacting Shawn Wilbur and asking for advice.

Answer 5

Well Marx is considered the father.  But reading about people who followed socialism, rather than the creators of it, you will learn far more about it.