The word socialism raises mixed ideas. On the one hand there is this utopia of mutual cooperation among men regardless of status. Equality. Not the equality expressed in our constitution. True equality. Equality of wealth, the only equality that matters. Socialism, the ultimate equalizer which will keep you on the same level regardless of your skill or lack of skills. On the opposite hand are infinite conspiracies, secret police, millions of cold blooded murders and corruption for those who live in the shadows. All this was done in the name of ideals. Sometimes these leaders ruled with iron fists in order to effectively bring about the revolution, other times they were unsure and delusional. But always, its leaders went on faith. Socialism in a sense was a new religion spread more quickly and effectively than the Muslim conquerors and fell within 100 years. However, it still has many followers around the world who practice it in its evolved states.
With all of socialism's horrible shortcomings, it has subtly worked its way into the places least expected by its founders.
Socialism is indeed the result and by product of industrialization. The Industrial Revolution saw the birth of very socialism with Great Britain as its womb. Although this period of change resulted in the modernization of the world, it also resulted in huge levels of social disparity, injustice, and suffering among the new lower classes that no longer worked on their farms but were kicked off and into the city. They took low wage jobs along with their husbands, wives, and children. They worked long hours in poorly ventilated factories, with dangerous machines, and buildings that if set ablaze would burn and leave no survivors. These atrocious conditions lead many thinkers to think about the way the world work. Several people...