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'''Socialism''',  born out of the deprivations suffered by the urban poor in proto-capitalist 19th century Europe, is an economic and political ideology based on public ownership of the means of production and distribution of wealth. It stresses the privileges of the many over the rights of the few, and can therefore be considered [[leftist]]. 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 redistribution of wealth, through taxation of private wealth coupled with "progressive" social policy or directly via nationalisation and public ownership

'''Socialism''' is an economic and political ideology based on public ownership of the means of production and distribution of wealth. It stresses the privileges of the many over the rights of the few, and can therefore be considered [[leftist]]. Politically, socialism is democratic and has been responsible for the extension of the franchise to all adult citizens. Despite this, many of the most notoriously oppressive dictatorships have been socialist in name, such as the [[Soviet Union]]. As an economic theory, socialism calls for redistribution of wealth, through taxation of private wealth coupled with "progressive" social policy or directly via nationalisation and public ownership of property.

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.   

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.