Responses to the New Responses to the New AgeAge

SocialismSocialism

Socialism – a political and economic theory of social organization advocating state ownership and control of natural resources and commercial activities

Opposite of Laissez faireMany workers and intellectuals wanted a

complete restructuring of society that would eliminate inhumanity and exploitation

Not jut political, but social and economic

Early SocialistsEarly Socialists

Saint-Simon, Fourier, Owen – utopians (island)

Marx, came later, and saw himself as a scientific socialist

Revolution necessary

Saint-SimonSaint-Simon

Property and wealth corrupts peopleNo inherent hostility between owner and

workerIt was the existing system and private

property that was badBoth should strive for the common goodSocial structure had to change with timeNo inheritance, public ownership of

industry

Charles FourierCharles Fourier

No faith in industrial societySmall community away from the restSelf sufficient, cooperative commintyBased on agriculture and craftsmanshipMembers share equally in lifePaid by dividend, not wagesBe paid by talent and contributionCreate a community that responds to

individual needs, not the opposite

Robert OwenRobert Owen

Successful business manBelieved that happy worker was a good

workerLimited hours, schools, health care

affordable housing, profit sharingEnvironmentalist- change the

environment of your workersFounded a colony in New Harmony,

Indiana