This is what socialism means

 

Let's define a socialist. It is not how scholarly he or she may be in Marxism and the sciences. He or she may never have read a word of Marx or socialist literature. He simply needs to realise that: 

1.  Capitalism can no longer be administered or reformed in the interest of the working class or of society. 

2. Capitalism is incapable of eliminating poverty, wars, crises, etc. 

3. Socialism can solve the social problems confronting society today since the material conditions are ripe for socialism, save the lack of a socialist majority.

All members of the WSM would agree upon the conscious, majority, political nature of the socialist revolution; the Materialist Conception of History; the Law of Value; the Class Struggle; attitudes on leadership, reformism, and religion; the general nature of socialism as a system of society.

 However, a socialist does not necessarily require an encyclopedic knowledge of Marxian economics.  Understanding Marx’s Capital is not an acid test of whether a person is a socialist or not.

The real test of socialist convictions hinges on such factors as capitalism cannot be reformed or administered in the interest of the working class or of society; Capitalism, as a social system, is in the interest of the ruling class (albeit that capitalism, historically, is an essential stage of social evolution); Socialism is the solution to the social problems and irreconcilable contradictions of capitalism; Socialism cannot be forced down the workers’ throats against their wishes; The socialist victory is dependant upon a determined, conscious socialist majority.

 These are the characteristics of a socialist; coupling of the head and the heart, theory coupled with action. A socialist is one who recognizes and realises that capitalism can no longer be reformed or administered in the interest of society or of the working class; that capitalism is incapable of eliminating poverty, war, crises, etc.; and that the times call for arousing the majority to become socialists to inaugurate socialism, now possible and necessary.”

Socialism is possible, necessary and practical today the moment the great majority become conscious of their interests. The notion that the workers are dumb is plain hogwash. They are confused, especially the “friends” of socialism, speaking in the name of socialism. It still remains the case that, aside from the feeble voices of the World Socialist Movement, the great mass of workers are not exposed to socialist fundamentals. Our task is hard enough as it is. But despite the discouragements and disappointments, it takes a heap of understanding to realize the forces working for socialism. The greatest ally we have is capitalism itself.

 The greatest teacher of all is experience. Eventually, all the groping and mistaken diversions into futile efforts of reforming and administering capitalism will run their course. People learn from their mistakes. Necessity is the latent strength of socialism. Truth and science are on the side of socialism. Nothing is stronger than an idea comes of age. (These are not trite clichés.) It is easy to be cynical of socialist efforts. But, with the world facing the alternative of socialism or chaos, you don’t have to be a cynic to realise that we are on the eve of significant social changes. Already, you have seen indications in this direction in the thinking of people everywhere. Our task is to be a catalyst, the triggering agent that transforms majority ideas from bourgeois into revolutionary ones. What better ambition is there for working people to forever put an end to poverty and privilege.