Being socialist

 

What does it mean to be socialist? Not, what does socialism mean? I’ve written on that previously. Twice. But, rather what type of person becomes a socialist and what do they believe in?

According to the popular press socialists are a very dangerous breed indeed. We are bullies who hate billionaires. We are extremists who support terrorists. We are vile creatures who are so full of anti-Semitism we can barely see it. We are frauds who seek to turn the country into a grey, joyless gulag. You get the picture.

But whilst that characterisation is actually quite amusing, especially if you’ve ever met a real life socialist, I decided to find out what some real socialists had to say about being socialist. I posted the following question on Twitter a couple of weeks ago:

If somebody asked you what it means to be a socialist how would you answer them? I was overwhelmed with the responses. You can see the entire thread here. (Some of the names that follow may not be true.)

Empathy

The socialist characteristic I picked up most was one of empathy or caring for others (for which empathy is a requirement). This was well expressed by Lynda Whyman who described being socialist as “To have empathy and care for everyone” Dave Clark also put empathy top of his list: “To have empathy and the ability to put others before yourself!” He continued: “To care for those who cannot care for themselves.” This was a theme also picked up by Mel Whittaker who said: “It means caring for the least able to care for themselves.” Caron Pierre went slightly further: “kindness and caring to ALL, Fair and decent wages and jobs for ALL, every man and woman being valued for their worth not their pocket and unity and democracy, no one person left behind!!!”

The ability to not only see the suffering of others but to feel it too, is part and parcel of the socialist personality. I don’t want to over-egg this. Not every ‘socialist’ has empathy oozing from every pore, and some people can be fairly instrumental when it comes to others suffering believing that the more people suffer the more they will see through the system. But, most socialists are highly capable of not only understanding suffering on an intellectual level but also of putting themselves in the shoes of the other. Of course, many people are drawn to socialism through their own conditions. But the truth is that dire poverty rather than producing socialist consciousness very often results in its exact opposite. It is no mystery that support for reactionary movements tends to come from the poorest and less well educated sections of the population. In 2019, for example the Joseph Rowntree Foundation using data from the British Election Survey estimate that more low income voters voted Conservative than Labour.

Socialists are often accused, by their critics, of envy. But it is not envy that drives the socialist impulse. Rather as Louise Hart put it: “An understanding that we all have the same needs and these must be met for society to thrive, its that simple.” Or, as Nikki T expressed it, “its about ..closing the divide between the haves and have nots of this world.” Or, as S Granic put it: “Caring for others and wanting a more equal society.” Whilst Karen Owen summarised it: “Equality for all”. Simone saw equality as rooted in a desire to live better. “For me it’s about a belief that we can have a better society than the one capitalism currently provides, built on principles of social justice, equality, human dignity & respect for the environment we live in & all the other species that we share the planet with.”

Connectedness

Socialists can, in many ways be summed up as being selfless. We are motivated not merely by individual acquisitiveness but a sense of being connected to others. This sense that working together toward common goals is a theme of socialism is captured by the American founder of the Democratic Socialists Nathan J Robinson:

“Those who have marched under the banner of socialism have shared a common aspiration toward a society without class divisions, where exploitation disappears, people relate to one another on the basis of equality and a spirit of comradeship, and the world is not owned and operated for the benefit of a few.”

The socialists on Twitter saw things similarly. As D Wailer put it: “At its simplest I think it’s just a recognition that a collective effort where the proceeds are shared equitably benefits all.” Or as Mariana Grajales saw it: “It means cooperation rather than competition.” Rin said something similar: “Being part of a collective for creating a selfless more equal society from the bottom up.”

This sense of the collective is, of course, in direct contrast to the ideology of individualism which fuels neo-liberalism. It shows socialists as not only believers in a different type of society but as willing to challenge the status quo. As Jan summed it up: “Speaking up when you see injustice in the world.” Or as Ellie Dunn put it: “It means that you try to speak for those who have no voice and that as a society you put the needs of the vulnerable and the many above the needs of the few.”  Of course, plenty of people rail against injustice by shouting at the TV, the difference with socialists is by our nature we want to work together to overcome injustice. Alan Marsden put it well with regard to our motivation: “It’s feeling the pain of others and wanting to create a world in which pain is minimised.”

Bravery

Let’s be clear here. It is no easy thing to make a stand against injustice. It takes guts. In the demonisation of the left it is always overlooked that almost anybody who devotes their time to socialism is not doing so for personal gain. It is far easier, and considerably less stressful, to look the other way and not get involved in battles where the odds are inevitably stacked against you. In popular culture ordinary people generally need a superhero or a middle class professional in order to win battles, but the truth is that ordinary people working together are a match for any police force, army or totalitarian government. What socialists have in abundance is bravery. A necessary condition for speaking for justice and peace. But, this bravery has its own reward as mentioned by @ellamanahmou which is “Being able to sleep at night with a clear conscience..”

No British politician of the last 20 years has captured this more than Jeremy Corbyn who offered a vision of peace, justice and equality at a time when the dominant message was one of austerity and increasing levels of deprivation at one end of society and ever increasing wealth at the other end. As a Labour leader he encapsulates a Labour Party that had until 2015 lived more as an ideal than a reality. That is not to say that it was without its successes. As Wanda Lozinska says: “I remind people that we've all benefitted from Labour’s socialist policies since the 1945 government which gave us the NHS, free education, the Welfare State and many more good policies since.”

The NHS stands out as Labour’s greatest achievement. This has never been clearer than during the current pandemic, where despite the risks to their own well-being staff continue to treat everybody regardless of ability to pay. It is this which socialists will continue to defend. As Peter Chave points out: “I'd say it's having regard for the needs of everyone regardless of their status or contribution.  Rather like the NHS.  As it still is but possibly not for much longer.”

Outrage

A number of people mentioned their outrage at the current system. “To be outraged that children are going hungry,” as Anne Maria Watkins put it. Al Bopper put it slightly differently: “Everyone deserves a home, a job with decent pay and to feel accepted and equally part of society”, but the idea is the same. Capitalist society is not delivering for many people and socialists see the possibility of progressive change. What is surprising is that these things need saying. That there are people who can defend a situation where children are hungry, or people are working on poverty pay unable to make ends meet. But, so long as there are, there will be socialists challenging them.

Tommy Orwell put this opposition succinctly: “Socialism is defined in opposition to Capitalism.” But, most socialists do not define their beliefs just in terms of opposition, but rather in the possibilities that could be humanity’s future. Sue Horsford summed this up as “.. believing in a fair and just society where everyone has the right to a decent quality of life.” Few socialists would argue with that.  Daisy Dewdrop also believed we were working toward a society where “everyone gains a good quality of life with rewards for effort”.  Whilst Stephanie Odai also analysed the potential difficulty: “To be able to live in a society where no one is struggling for a basic decent quality of life, while others amass wealth they cannot get through in a life time.”

Inequalities in wealth and, by extension, opportunities perhaps form the main difference between socialists and neo-liberals. Whereas neo-liberalism treats massive inequality as an unfortunate side effect of their free market economics and the poor as largely responsible for their own poverty, socialists see the systemic inequalities as inherent to an unjust system. As Steve Cann puts it: “To want to live in a fair society - one where wealth isn’t hoarded by a minority at the expense of the majority, and everyone is treated with equal respect and humanity.” This sense that equality is a matter of fairness informed a number of the contributions. As Tony says it’s: “a yearning for a better fairer society .. it's about sharing not taking. it's about caring and not hating.”

Redistribution

For most socialists the goal is not to do away with wealth entirely but rather to see it distributed more fairly. Stan Innate captured this succinctly: “Having feelings for things other than money & possessions. Wanting a more level playing field: it’s not wealth itself, it’s how it’s distributed.” This sense that socialism is about economic justice comes through loud and clear. Malcolm Parker summed it up well: “Where ownership of wealth is decided democratically, understanding that political democracy is meaningless if there is no economic democracy.”

A number of people used quotes to express their ideal of being socialist. These included Liverpool football manager Bill Shankley who famously said: “The socialism I believe in isn't really politics. It is a way of living. It is humanity. I believe the only way to live and to be truly successful is by collective effort, with everyone working for each other, everyone helping each other, and everyone having a share of the rewards at the end of the day. That might be asking a lot, but it's the way I see football and the way I see life.” That quote summed things up for Lefty, though I doubt many would disagree.

Others preferred Tony Benn. Red Eric, for example, thought these words apt: “SOCIAL-ists focus on  SOCIAL issues and things that will make people's lives better. CAPITAL-ists focus on capital, or things that will make them more money.” Journalist and socialist campaigner Paul Foot also got a mention, Mike Stanton using this quote:  “We are not fanatics or timeservers. We are socialists because we see the prospect which life holds out for all working people. We want the commitment of workers who laugh and love & want to end the wretchedness & despair which shuts love & laughter out of so many lives.” It was not just the words of journalists and politicians that inspire people ‘Shakespear’s Sister’ found it in the words of ‘The Boss’ Bruce Springsteen:  "Nobody wins unless everybody wins." Whilst Trevor Sterratt channeled Emilliano Zapata:  “Stand up and say something. Better to die on your feet, than live on one's knees.”

It is difficult to be a socialist and keep quiet. There is so much that is wrong with the World, much of which has been brought to the surface by the pandemic that socialists will always want to speak truth to power. As @HerzlIrgun put it: “I want nobody to be poor and everybody to have the best kind of life our species can have.”

Marxism

Billy Sellsley made reference to Marx in his contribution: “From each according to their ability to each according to their need.” The idea that there is a balance sheet of social life in which we can take out only if we put in is a common theme in socialism. But in addition to to expecting everybody to contribute what they can goes the recognition that the most vulnerable should be protected. Eddie Hughes had his own take on this: “To expect from each the realisation and input of their abilities for the health of Society, and to ensure each and every last person gets what they need to lead a full and fruitful life.” Although nobody actually mentioned Marx one of his most famous quotations cropped up more than once. Paul was another who saw socialism in Marxist terms: “The age old idea that we expect everyone to contribute to society as well as their abilities allow, and for everyone to be supported according to their needs.”

This sense that the World can be a better place provides another characteristic common among socialists. That is the ability to see beyond the particular. To be a socialist requires a wider view than just our own suffering. It is an ability to generalise. It is why Lenin described workers as only capable of reaching trade union consciousness and requiring a socialist party to create socialist consciousness. That is why the trade union movement has had to fight for the right to exist and why it is still a threat. As Noam Chomsky has put it: “Policies have been designed to undermine working-class organization, and the reason is not only that unions fight for workers’ rights, but they also have a democratizing effect. These are institutions in which people without power can get together, support one another, learn about the world, try out their ideas, initiate programs — and that’s dangerous.”

Trade unions can be schools for socialism, in that you probably learn as much on a picket line as you will from any number of Zoom meetings or blog posts. Most importantly, picket lines create solidarity. You will never forget the people who stood beside you on a freezing cold picket line, but more importantly you will never forget those that did not, particularly those that crossed. If there is one characteristic that defines socialists perhaps more than any other it is: solidarity. I have stood beside striking miners, dockers, print workers, firefighters, teachers, lecturers, council workers and have felt better for doing so each time. I have never knowingly crossed a picket line. These, it seems to me, are something of what socialism is all about. 

Solidarity

As Todd Chretian of the the American Socialist Workers says: “..as socialists, we should all reach out a hand to ordinary people who are under attack to offer our solidarity and support in whatever way we can, even if we do not trust progressive politicians as far as we can throw them.” The truth is that based on our understanding of an unequal society, and our empathy for those who are in the worst positions socialists find solidarity easy. Carole Walker perhaps came closest to capturing this sense: “We are not all in the came boat. We are in the same storm. Some have yachts, some canoes and some are drowning. Just be kind and help whoever you can.” Those in yachts are able not only to sail past those who are drowning but happy to throw the weak and most vulnerable overboard. The strength of socialism is certainly in the collective, but it takes a certain strength of resolve too, as encapsulated beautifully by Hazel Ann: “I am not a liberal snowflake. My feelings aren’t fragile, my heart isn’t bleeding. I am a badass believer in human rights. My toughness is in tenderness. My strength is in the service of others. There is nothing more fierce than formidable, unconditional love. There is not a thing more courageous than compassion. But if my belief in equity, empathy, goodness and love indeed makes me or people like me snowflakes then you should know - winter is coming.” And with that nod to Game of Thrones if that is on a t-shirt put me down for one.

There are some things which socialists take for granted and which were hardly mentioned.  Being a socialist, for example, certainly requires a questioning mind and the ability to see beyond what you are told is ‘natural’. Tony Benn, late on in his life, said that the ability to question was fundamental to progress: “The key to any progress is to ask the question why? All the time. Why is that child poor? Why was there a war? Why was he killed? Why is he in power? And of course questions can get you into a lot of trouble, because society is trained by those who run it, to accept what goes on. Without questions we won't make any progress at all.”

I believe it was Fidel Castro who said: “Socialism is and will be the hope, the only hope, the only path for the peoples, for the oppressed, for the exploited, for the pillaged; socialism is the only alternative!  And today, when our enemies would like to question that, we must defend it more than ever.” This exercise has shown that out in Twitterland there are a number of people prepared to defend the ideal of socialism and in so doing they are striving to create a better World for everyone. Some are in pretty dire circumstances themselves but all are able to show compassion for suffering whether close to home or further afield. All value solidarity, comradeship and collective action. All show empathy, compassion and incredible bravery. Just knowing that these people inhabit an often callous World gives me hope for the future. I’m proud to be a socialist, and everybody who joins me in that sobriquet should also do so with pride.

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