To What Extent Is Socialism Defined by Its Rejection of Capitalism?

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of colonial powers in turn creating increased Wages and living standards and Universal male suffrage and later female suffrage could in turn modify capitalism to alleviate its problems., something even Marx considered at least possible.

In addition, the violent actions of revolution were in not favoured by many socialists and thus they took alternative means to create change. As a result, the Fabián society which was established in Britain in 1884, including H.G.Wells, Shaw, Sidney and Beatrice Webb, whom were all influenced by Marx’s but did not accept the revolutionary means but instead developed the idea of the inevitability of gradualism.

This encompassed the idea that socialism would be the inevitable outcome of the development of capitalism, as the working class would demand for socialist justice and equality, making a socialist state establishment as a natural consequence. The transition to this socialist state would, however, be a gradual process having to convert the elites to the logic of socialism and place intellectual neutral superiors to look after the working class temporarily rather than oppressive rulers, which Marx’s had deemed the state as.

Furthermore, Bernstein, a German revisionist, accepted Marx’s notion that inequality and exploitation would worsen under capitalism he asserted that the working class would receive a fair hearing for capitalism to respond appropriately. Bernstein suggested that the role of socialist should be to form democratic parties, seek election in power and to implement reforms such as welfare systems, trade unions and equality of opportunity for all. Thus, creating alternative, contrasting view of how to a society run by socialism.

In addition, as 1970 economic growth declined, as the promise for a continued economic providing prosperity to the working class did surface, the support for democratic parties alike fell.