Can Socialism secure our deteriorating state?

-Abhishek Saini

(16204)

Being Social by forum of social networking sites is indeed very different from being a socialist in real life.

To be a bit historic, the term ‘Socialism’ rose in Russia during the Russian revolution and completely transformed
the phase of almost entire Europe by dismantling the Tsarist autocracy leading to the rise of The Soviet Union. But,
the most vital question which poses in front of us today is that can this culture which originated from history
improve our present? Can a country as ours, where poverty is adamant, food security is minute, illiteracy is
prominent, gain some aid from the essence of Socialism?

We live in a time of growing inequality between the rich and the poor, where the environment is
destroyed to the extent of threatening our very own existence, because of a system that prioritizes profit. Endless
divisions are created among the society based on beliefs, regions, castes, and even wealth!! The wealthier doesn’t
want to comfort the afflicted poor; neither the ‘system’ wants to afflict the ones who are comforted by defrauding
people less powerful than them. In a situation as this, the basic value of sharing and collectiveness is ransacked.
How would it be like, if everyone shares everything ranging from knowledge to wealth among themselves in such a
way that each and every person is equal in the eye of one another? The output definitely has a high chance of
being magnificent. And when someone thinks of sharing and equality, socialism automatically steps in. It is
unfortunate in a country which is the largest democracy of the world, to witness the end of democracy in certain
instances. Interests of business owners and their drive for profit take precedence over the rights of the workers.
Due to Sexism all women today face multiple forms of oppressions from discriminations in the workplace and lack
of equal wages, to ideas of how women should dress, talk, behave and generally live, to the constant threats of
violence, especially in homes. Socialism creates a potential for elimination of gender inequality, by which
everybody respects all forms of gender, and treats them as equal. Democracy, in which each and everyone should
have an equal say in making righteous decisions, declines when an improvidence of right is generated due to
inequality. Socialism paves a way for equality to bloom, and thus has a vast potential to prevent detrimental
impacts on our society due to corruption, illiteracy, etc. The effort to initiate the idea of Universal Basic Income in
India, which came a few days ago and requests the government to specify a minimum of salary applicable to each
and every work person of our country also supports socialism, as it supports equality in workforce.

It is very crucial for us to understand the basic model of socialism, which is a culture where everything is
shared, everyone is seen from the same eye, everyone has an equal amount of opportunity, everyone has a fair
chance of winning or losing in his or her endeavors of life, everyone has an equal right on commodities ranging
from land to food, and above all, where collective effort is recognized. If we believe in these ideas, then we are
socialists. This description is so apart from political theories of socialism, which are just to mobilize support for
one’s own good, as this mobilizes support for equality. Challenges such as population definitely pose a threat, and
make it obvious that transition to good democracy through socialism will not happen overnight. There is also a
threat that people may move the other way round to fascism. To prevent this catastrophe, people need to believe
that everything is “OURS”. The move towards equality requires grassroots participation of activists and passionate
individuals who must work collectively, who believe that another world is possible, and more importantly, the
common man has the power to built it.