Socialist approach and Total Revolution

Socialist approach and Total Revolution

Socialist approach

In simple language Socialism can be regarded as a movement against the inequality existing in the present social order.
It is a plan for a new social order based on Justice, Equality, free from exploitation of man by man, a co-operative commonwealth of mankind.
Though socialists differ among themselves on a number of points, there are certain basic principles, on which every socialist agrees.
These are –

Socialism wants to establish the importance of the Society over the individual.
It wants to abolish competition.
It wants to abolish private enterprise.
It wants to establish a proper system of distribution.

Nehru and Socialism

It is well known that Nehru was vehemently opposed to doctrinaire Socialism, but for almost half a century he was trying to formulate a set of mutually consistent principles and ideas, which, if adopted as a whole, would ensure a socialist reconstruction of society through the democratic process, rather than insurrectionary violence or a cataclysm, and without Democracy being undermined in the process of achieving the goal.
To him the question of method was more important than anything else.
When some people lost their patience with Nehru’s reference to the ‘pragmatic approach’, they hardly appreciated his anxiety to take account of the compulsions in the objective situation in India, which make radical economic transformation impossible for various reasons, including the lag in social transformation.
Any general attack on the problem of POVERTY, any movement in the direction of an egalitarian society, any basic change in the socio-economic institutions concerning the masses of the Population, requires the agency and support of a political organisation like the Indian National Congress, which is India in microcosm with its divergent pulls of ideas and interests.
Any one who thinks of Nehru in the context of Socialism would do well to study how he tried to influence this peculiar political organisation in favour of broad and simple ‘socialistic’ principles which have become accepted principles of democracy in capitalist countries with free enterprise economies.

Marxian Approach and Socialism

THE Marxian approach to socialism is based on a philosophy of history where the social order changes as the process of historical progress reveals itself through the dialectical relationship between the means of production and production relations. Socialism here emerges out of capitalism as an objective necessity, not because some people will it as a better and just social order, although once it is established it does prove to be so.
But there is another approach to socialism which is quite rational, where a socialist makes his value judgment explicit at the very outset and declares his preference for socialism defined in terms of socio-economic categories.
Socialism may be desirable because it is a rational, just, equitable and least wasteful social order, and in an underdeveloped economy in addition to all these because it is most helpful for rapid economic progress, and not simply because it is the “necessary” outcome of a historical process.
Having accepted socialism as a preferred system, one has to think of the best means for achieving it and for that one has to study objectively the prevailing economic and social conditions, the role of different classes, their relationships and conflicts, the stage of development of production forces, etc

Fundamental Transformation & SOCIALISM

SOCIALISM, after all, involves a fundamental transformation of the society and a struggle against the forces of status quo deeply entrenched in the social organisation.
Reliance on the state or administrative machinery and a Bureaucracy, working within the bounds of legal institution cannot bring about a social revolution unless there is a strong sanction of mass movement behind it.
A political organisation or a party has to enthuse the masses to socialist action, and unite the progressive sections in the struggle against the vested interests to enable the socialist policies to be implemented.
In a parliamentary system the importance of a strong socialist party is increased, for then in addition to being a vanguard organistion for determined action, it has to explain and justify its action to broad sections of the masses so that they can carry it into power.
The possibility of peaceful, parliamentary method of achieving socialism does not imply that the state or bureaucracy is neutral or auto-nomous, and that it can function independently of class struggle.
On the contrary, for any implementation of a socialist policy, it can be effective only when it is aligned with the progressive classes and when a political party, which formalises and upholds the interests of these classes, organises them to united action.

Total Revolution

The germs of the concept of Total Revolution lie deeply embedded in Gandhi’s teachings to which Jayaprakash Narayan, the leader of Total Revolution turned as a result of his disillusionment with what might be called “conventional wisdom of revolution and conventional technique” of change.
Total Revolution is a further extension of Gandhi’s thought on socio-economic problems and technique of change in the context of contemporary social, economic and political reality.
Total Revolution is a further extension of the Gandhian approach to Social Change. Social change in the Gandhian paradigm is a very comprehensive and inclusive term. According to Gandhi, a partial change in any one component of the social matrix is likely to produce disequilibrium in society.
Society, therefore, will tend to move towards a state of constant instability. In order to ensure that the social organisation maintains a steady and dynamic homeostatic state, an all-round change is needed. By an all-round change Gandhi did not mean only a change in the social framework but also a qualitative change in the behavioural-attitudinal-valuational and psyche texture of the individual. Gandhi, like Hegel, believed that revolution begins in the minds of men. But Gandhi enlarged the Hegelian concept. Gandhi’s primary emphasis was that an individual wanting to change the society must first of all change himself.
Gandhi’s revolution was evolutionary and a process of purification. Gandhi’s approach was not limited to a change in individual’s lifestyle, thought-structure, and behaviour-pattern only. Thus, together with a revolution in the individual, society must also change. It spans the entire continuum along which values as well as social and institutional structures are ranged. The emphasis is on each one of the Elements constituting the continuum.
Gandhi talked of changing the society, he conceived of far-reaching and novel changes in the entire social organisation which consisted of the economy, Polity, technique of production, personnel system of both the polity and economy, and, above all, the means to be adopted for effecting the change.
There are seven components of Total Revolution –

Social
Economic
Political
Cultural
Ideological
Intellectual
Educational

These numbers may be increased or decreased. JP himself thought that the cultural revolution could include educational and ideological. Similarly, social revolution, according to him, in the Marxian sense can cover economic and political revolutions and even more than that.

Socialism is a political and economic system where the means of production are owned and controlled by the people, either directly or through the state. Socialists believe that this system is more just and equitable than capitalism, which they see as a system that concentrates wealth and power in the hands of a few.

There are many different types of socialism, but they all share some common features. These include economic planning, centralization, social ownership of the means of production, equality, social justice, and a welfare state.

Economic planning is the process of determining what goods and Services should be produced, how they should be produced, and how they should be distributed. In a Socialist Economy, economic planning is done by the state. The state sets production targets, allocates Resources, and controls prices.

Centralization is the concentration of power in the hands of a few people or institutions. In a socialist economy, power is centralized in the hands of the state. The state controls all aspects of the economy, including production, distribution, and Investment.

Social ownership of the means of production means that the means of production are owned by the people, either directly or through the state. This can be done through a variety of means, such as worker cooperatives, state-owned enterprises, or public ownership.

Equality is a core value of socialism. Socialists believe that everyone should have equal opportunities and that everyone should be treated fairly. They believe that the current system of capitalism is unfair because it concentrates wealth and power in the hands of a few.

Social justice is another core value of socialism. Socialists believe that everyone should have access to basic necessities such as food, housing, healthcare, and Education. They believe that the current system of capitalism fails to provide these necessities for everyone.

A welfare state is a system where the government provides social services to its citizens. These services can include healthcare, education, Unemployment benefits, and pensions. Socialists believe that a welfare state is necessary to ensure that everyone has the basic necessities of life.

Total revolution is a radical change in society that seeks to transform all aspects of life, including the political, economic, social, cultural, environmental, and technological. Total revolution is often seen as a necessary step to achieve a more just and equitable society.

There are many different types of total revolution, but they all share some common features. These include a focus on radical change, a rejection of the status quo, and a commitment to social justice.

Radical change is a key feature of total revolution. Total revolutionaries believe that the current system is fundamentally flawed and that it can only be changed through radical change. They reject the idea of gradual reform and instead advocate for a complete overhaul of the system.

A rejection of the status quo is another key feature of total revolution. Total revolutionaries believe that the current system is unjust and oppressive. They reject the idea that the system can be reformed from within and instead advocate for its complete overthrow.

A commitment to social justice is a third key feature of total revolution. Total revolutionaries believe that all people are equal and that everyone has the right to a dignified life. They are committed to fighting for social justice and to creating a more just and equitable society.

Total revolution is a complex and controversial topic. There are many different opinions on what it means and how it can be achieved. However, there is no doubt that total revolution is a powerful force for change. It has the potential to transform society in profound and lasting ways.

Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about the topics of socialism and total revolution:

What is socialism?
Socialism is an economic and political system where the means of production are owned and controlled by the people, either directly or through the state.
What are the different types of socialism?
There are many different types of socialism, but some of the most common include:
- Marxism: This is the most well-known type of socialism, and it is based on the ideas of Karl Marx. Marxism argues that the history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles. In a capitalist society, the working class (the proletariat) is exploited by the capitalist class (the bourgeoisie). The proletariat will eventually overthrow the bourgeoisie and establish a communist society, where there is no private property and everyone works for the common good.
- Social democracy: Social democracy is a type of socialism that seeks to achieve socialism through democratic means. Social democrats believe that the best way to improve the lives of workers is through reforms within the capitalist system, such as social welfare programs and labor unions.
- Communism: Communism is a type of socialism that seeks to create a classless society where everyone is equal. Communists believe that this can be achieved through a revolution that overthrows the capitalist system.
What are the benefits of socialism?
Some of the benefits of socialism include:
- A more equal society: Socialism can help to create a more equal society by reducing inequality in wealth and income.
- Greater social welfare: Socialism can provide for a greater level of social welfare, such as healthcare, education, and housing.
- More democratic control of the economy: Socialism can give workers more democratic control over the economy, which can lead to better working conditions and higher wages.
What are the drawbacks of socialism?
Some of the drawbacks of socialism include:
- Lack of economic efficiency: Socialism can be less economically efficient than capitalism, as it can be difficult to coordinate economic activity in a centrally planned economy.
- Less innovation: Socialism can lead to less innovation, as there is less incentive for individuals to take risks and start businesses.
- Loss of individual freedom: Socialism can lead to a loss of individual freedom, as the government may have more control over the economy and people’s lives.
What is total revolution?
Total revolution is a political philosophy that advocates for a radical transformation of society. Total revolutionaries believe that the current system is corrupt and unjust, and that it must be overthrown in order to create a better world.
What are the goals of total revolution?
The goals of total revolution vary depending on the specific ideology of the revolutionaries, but some common goals include:
- Overthrowing the current system: Total revolutionaries seek to overthrow the current system, which they believe is corrupt and unjust.
- Creating a new society: Total revolutionaries want to create a new society that is based on equality, justice, and freedom.
- Liberating the oppressed: Total revolutionaries want to liberate the oppressed from the current system, which they believe is oppressive and exploitative.
What are the methods of total revolution?
The methods of total revolution vary depending on the specific ideology of the revolutionaries, but some common methods include:
- Violence: Total revolutionaries may use violence to overthrow the current system.
- Non-violence: Total revolutionaries may use non-violent methods, such as protests and strikes, to overthrow the current system.
- Education: Total revolutionaries may use education to raise awareness of the problems with the current system and to promote the goals of total revolution.
What are the successes and failures of total revolution?
There have been both successes and failures of total revolution. Some examples of successful total revolutions include the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the Chinese Revolution of 1949. Some examples of failed total revolutions include the French revolution of 1789 and the Iranian Revolution of 1979.
What is the future of total revolution?
The future of total revolution is uncertain. Some people believe that total revolution is a necessary step to create a better world, while others believe that it is a dangerous and destructive ideology.

Sure, here are some multiple choice questions without mentioning the topic Socialist approach and Total Revolution:

Which of the following is not a characteristic of a socialist economy?
(A) Central planning
(B) Private ownership of capital
(C) Economic equality
(D) Social welfare programs
Which of the following is not a characteristic of a Capitalist Economy?
(A) Private ownership of capital
(B) Economic inequality
(C) Central planning
(D) Free markets
Which of the following is not a characteristic of a Mixed Economy?
(A) Private ownership of capital
(B) Central planning
(C) Economic equality
(D) Free markets
Which of the following is not a characteristic of a command economy?
(A) Central planning
(B) Private ownership of capital
(C) Economic equality
(D) Social welfare programs
Which of the following is not a characteristic of a market economy?
(A) Private ownership of capital
(B) Central planning
(C) Economic inequality
(D) Free markets
Which of the following is not a characteristic of a traditional economy?
(A) Subsistence agriculture
(B) Labor-intensive production
(C) Low levels of technology
(D) High levels of economic inequality
Which of the following is not a characteristic of a developing economy?
(A) High levels of poverty
(B) Low levels of industrialization
(C) High levels of economic inequality
(D) High levels of economic Growth
Which of the following is not a characteristic of a developed economy?
(A) Low levels of poverty
(B) High levels of industrialization
(C) Low levels of economic inequality
(D) Low levels of economic growth
Which of the following is not a characteristic of a post-Industrial Economy?
(A) A high level of service sector EMPLOYMENT
(B) A low level of manufacturing sector employment
(C) A high level of technology
(D) A high level of economic inequality
Which of the following is not a characteristic of a global economy?
(A) The free flow of goods, services, capital, and labor across national borders
(B) The increasing interconnectedness of economies around the world
(C) The decline of national Sovereignty
(D) The rise of multinational corporations

I hope these questions were helpful!