The only way forward: 21st century socialism

By Melika Singh

What kind of society is this? What kind of society impoverishes and alienates a majority, and enriches a minority? What kind of society promotes survival of the fittest before empathy and humanitarianism? What kind of society is this which excludes the majority from education — a vital human need? What kind of society ignores and alienates the most vulnerable individuals whilst focusing on an elite minority? These are the questions that constantly nag at me. I cannot accept our society in its present condition; I cannot ignore the plight of half the world and act as if this situation is justifiable. It is this very structure of society and those who support it that are responsible for the widespread inequality and poverty which we turn a blind eye to everyday.

Although poverty and inequality are significant challenges for any nation in the world today, I argue that it is not impossible to solve these challenges. What we have created we can also find solutions to. My argument is that 21st century socialism is the only way to deal effectively with these challenges. The aim of 21st century socialism is the creation of a humane society, a society based on humanitarianism, equal opportunity and sharing, not profit, materialism and greed. 21st century socialism will ensure that the people control and benefit from their countries’ resources as opposed to those resources being sold to the highest bidder.

Reducing widespread poverty and inequality requires a drastic change in the structure of society. 21st century socialism is the only tool that can change the structure of society. It is hypocritical to argue that we are not winning the battle for social justice when we stubbornly refuse to change the very factors that are perpetuating the suffering of half the world’s population. What the developing world needs is 21st century socialism. We must acknowledge that we are also responsible for the current situation because we remain weak and divided, accepting the dictates of our unsympathetic counterparts in the industrialised world. We should also give up the idea that the developed nations aim to assist and support the progress of our nations as this is a fallacy. We must help ourselves and develop from within. The only way for true and sustainable development is the rejection of the developed world’s proposals and policies and the creation of our own. These policies are just colonialism disguised which makes them even more damaging.

It is only 21st century socialism that can provide true social justice, address the problems we face and give full effect to the rights enshrined in our Constitution. Of course, like any ideology, 21st century socialism has its challenges but these can be addressed. We need to start somewhere or we run the risk of ruining a new generation of people. Hasn’t colonialism and apartheid done enough damage? Do we need to further perpetuate human suffering and misery with this greedy, unjust and selfish capitalist framework? If the success of a society is measured by how it treats the most vulnerable individuals, than we have failed. 21st century socialism is not communism. Furthermore, it does not undermine democracy or democratic institutions. On the contrary, it gives practical effect to the basic rights of people that a democracy promises. It is a humane alternative, the only alternative, to savage capitalism. Democracy without economic freedom is empty. There can never be real freedom without economic freedom and 21st century socialism is able to offer this.

I often ask myself why the idea of socialism provokes such strong negative responses by the world’s media and other institutions. What is this socialism and why is it so bad? Well, I have come to realise that because the world’s media and other institutions are controlled by the wealthiest people, the minority who are benefiting from capitalism, it is obvious that they would reject and demonise any dispensation that offers a humane alternative. It is only those with something to lose who would oppose a progressive and fair concept such as this. Similarly, the idea of redistribution of wealth provokes the same response. Redistribution simply means sharing. There are enough resources on this planet for all of us. As a result of capitalism that fosters personal ambition over the greater good, the majority are left to their own devices, to suffer untold misery and poverty.

A good example of a progressive movement is the Bolivarian Revolution in Venezuela. For the first time the poor have taken control of their country and its resources, hence, the ongoing, undemocratic and vicious attempts to remove democratically elected President Hugo Chávez and derail his socialist revolution. The media constantly portray Venezuela’s democratically elected leader as a dictator and spread fallacies about the “crisis” in Venezuela when in fact nothing could be further from the truth. Venezuela’s Bolivarian process, although like any process is not infallible, is one of the most progressive processes ever to occur in the developing world. Contrary to elitist propaganda, the Bolivarian Revolution is a democratic model for the developing world and its leader has shown solidarity and support to other developing nations and the impoverished majority.

In fact, Chávez is a humane and intelligent individual. He is the real leader of the developing world as he is one of very few of our leaders to truly represent and fight for our interests, and not bow to international pressure and institutions that continue to exploit the developing world under the pretence of help. It seems that Chávez’s “offence” is that he offers and advocates the alternative of a compassionate and humane society. He defined 21st century socialism best when he said “socialism is love”. Love for mankind, in the midst of all this greed, injustice and turmoil, is the only way forward. The left is rising again!