Save ‘Socialism’ and ‘Revolution’ from Narrow-Minded Approach

‘Socialism’ and ‘revolution’ are two beautiful words which, however, have been distorted beyond recognition by narrow-minded persons and groups.

Let’s first see what these words actually mean and then we’ll examine how these beautiful words have been distorted and by whom. We’ll also examine how these distortions can be checked.

Socialism means a way of thinking which clearly goes beyond selfish concerns so that all our concerns for our own welfare are closely linked to the no less important concerns of welfare of all people and all forms of life, including the next generations. Clearly there is no room in socialism for inequalities and destruction of environment.

‘Revolution’ is a set of thoughts, actions and planning aimed at effectively removing not just many-sided distress but also all causes of this distress to the extent possible. Revolution is needed whenever distress crosses certain limits of toleration. The present conditions of the world as well as India are such that ‘revolution’ is needed as distress has crossed limits of what can be tolerated or accepted.

‘Socialism’ and ‘revolution’ (or a socialist revolution defined as above) are the biggest need of our country and indeed the entire world. Unfortunately, these words have been distorted time and again by narrow-minded persons, and this needs to be checked.

Firstly, these concepts have been unnecessarily complicated so that it has become difficult to take their message to more and more people. The essential message of ‘socialism’ and ‘revolution’ needs to be spread in a jargon-free simple way which can be easily understood by all.

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The essential message of ‘socialism’ and ‘revolution’ has been distorted by those who link it to any real or imagined ‘complete thoughts’ of a single individual. Groups and persons who stood for justice and welfare of all have been contributing to ‘socialism’ and ‘revolution’ (as broadly defined above) through all of human history. We should learn from all or them and draw inspiration from all of them. There is no need and no justification for seeing the tasks of ‘revolution’ and ‘socialism’ in the context of either ‘Marxism’ or ‘Maoism’ or ‘Leninism’ or ‘Gandhism’ or any other isms. This only leads to endless futile debates. In fact the entire tendency to add ‘isms’ to the thoughts of various individuals needs to be given up as futile and outdated. The tasks of ‘revolution’ and ‘socialism’ and ‘socialist revolution’ have to be examined in the context of the real conditions existing today and our understanding the future ahead.

The task of ‘socialism’ and ‘revolution’ has also suffered in the hands of ‘trigger-happy’ persons and groups who place excessive faith in violent and secretive methods. In fact for the sake of completeness, the words ‘transparent’ and ‘peaceful’ need to be added to ‘socialism’ and ‘revolution’. These four key words taken together constitute the ‘democratic socialist revolution’ which India and the entire world badly need today.

The author is currently a Fellow at the Institute of Social Sciences, New Delhi.