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Born out of the depravations suffered by the urban poor in proto-capitalist 19th century Europe, socialism is an economic and political ideology that stresses the rights of the many over the privileges of the few. Politically, socialism is democratic and has been responsible for the extension of the franchise to all adult citizens. As an economic theory, socialism calls for the redistribution of wealth. This may be achieved indirectly via taxation of private wealth coupled with progressive social policy or directly via nationalisation and public ownership.  

Born out of the deprivations suffered by the urban poor in proto-capitalist 19th century Europe, socialism is an economic and political ideology that stresses the rights of the many over the privileges of the few. Politically, socialism is democratic and has been responsible for the extension of the franchise to all adult citizens. As an economic theory, socialism calls for the redistribution of wealth. This may be achieved indirectly via taxation of private wealth coupled with progressive social policy or directly via nationalisation and public ownership.  

Although socialist ideas such as the provision of unemployment benefit, state pensions, universal healthcare, and state control of key industries have been common throughout the developed world in the modern era, the [[United States]] has tended to reject socialism as an ideological position. In other parts of the world, such as Europe, Africa, Asia, and South and Central America, there has generally been more explicit support for socialism as a doctrine, and socialist parties have been among the most successful political forces of the last 100 years.  This correlates with a rise in atheism.

Although socialist ideas such as the provision of unemployment benefit, state pensions, universal healthcare, and state control of key industries have been common throughout the developed world in the modern era, the [[United States]] has tended to reject socialism as an ideological position. In other parts of the world, such as Europe, Africa, Asia, and South and Central America, there has generally been more explicit support for socialism as a doctrine, and socialist parties have been among the most successful political forces of the last 100 years.  This correlates with a rise in atheism.