Dumb question: what's a Socialist?

[Starry Messenger]

45. Not a dumb question.

I think many on DU are closer to socialists than liberals and have for a long time. Broadly speaking, socialism is socializing the common goods for the use of the public and working people.

1) There is no really "best" definition of socialism. Every country is different and is a product of diverse social and historical backgrounds. Coming up with what works best for your country is part of the process. Some people get dogmatically pulled toward one menu of items or another, but the system I work within (CPUSA) has a theory of stages in removing capitalist harm and broadening democracy in the United States. From there, we can reassess when we have cleared away the damage caused by our system.

2) Is a country's socialist system supported by the broad majority of its people? Are their living standards rising as best as they can, and better than they were under capitalism? Do they adjust with planning when needed?

In the US, we work under capitalism, so it is important to not feel paralysis as a socialist, that there isn't anything to be done unless the revolution is right on the horizon. Doing things like defeating Republicans, supporting labor-friendly politicians, and working to pass legislation that helps the working class and the nationally oppressed are all still key to weakening capitalism.

Being a socialist and developing self-education in socialist theory gives a person a deepened political awareness, and also sharpens the focus of political work.