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[[Marx, Karl|Karl Marx]] considered socialism to be a transitory stage between capitalism and communism. Im his view, socialism is summed up by the expression: "From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs." A major criticism of socialism is that it infringes individual rights in favour of the collectivity. In a very real sense, politics in the western world throughout the 20th century were shaped by the conflict between a more socialist and a more individualist conception of history.

[[Marx, Karl|Karl Marx]] considered socialism to be a transitory stage between capitalism and communism. Im his view, socialism is summed up by the expression: "From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs." A major criticism of socialism is that it infringes individual rights in favour of the collectivity. In a very real sense, politics in the western world throughout the 20th century were shaped by the conflict between a more socialist and a more individualist conception of history.

Although parties proclaiming themselves as socialist are common in Europe, the leading examples all currently embrace free enterprise, individual property rights and the rest of capitalism. The key difference between Europe and the United States in this regard is thus ideological rather than substantive.

Although socialist parties are common in Europe, the leading examples all currently embrace some free enterprise, individual property rights and certain other aspects of capitalism.  

In summary, socialist ideas have made a major and valuable contribution to western civilization although they are not always credited with doing so, partly owing to a tendency to conflate socialism with the far more radical doctrine of communism.

Leading European Socialists are very critical of America<ref>[http://www.pes.org/content/view/666/74/lang,en/]</ref>.

==References==

==References==