Example research essay topic: Socialism In Eighteenth Century Europe - 741 words

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Socialism in Eighteenth Century Europe We cannot say that the classical principles of Socialism were being formed in Europe in 18 th century. Only the general ideas that underline this philosophy began to emerge close to the end of that century. The bulk of these ideas we can trace back to the progressive philosophy of Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712 - 1778), who suggested that all the people are essentially equal and it only the social injustices that account for the hierarchical stratification in every human society. Among other early proponents of Socialism we can name John Lock and utopia socialists like Charles Fourier, Robert Owen and Saint-Simon, who based their visions of universal equality on the assumption that people were going to convert into Socialism because of their moral considerations. The history has proven the cheer absurdity of such theories long ago. The significance of Socialism, as political movement, can be compared to the significance of Christianity, as the religion of death and decay, which helped to seal the fate of Roman civilization.

Both are based on the denial of scientifically proven fact of natural inequality between men, both are being promoted predominantly by representatives of chosen folk and the practical implication of both doctrines resulted in enormous amount of suffering among people. The Socialism prepared the ground for Communism, which almost succeeded in destroying Western civilization. (1) The socialist attitude towards surrounding reality appears to be nothing but nihilistic denial. Just like modern liberals, early socialists used to apply their twisted notions of morality to explain complicated socio-political processes. At the same time, they had a few productive ideas, like their demands for the fair salaries for laborers. The main concepts of Socialism are very simple. 1) The laws of economics define public institutions that, in its turn, define social structure in every society. 2) People feel more affiliated with representatives of their social class, rather than with their countrymen. 3) In order to accomplish social equality, every society's elite needs to share their riches with less fortunate citizens.

This idea is not bad, its only that after having tasted a power, the representatives of lower classes are not going to be satisfied with equality, theyll strive for nothing less but becoming an elite themselves, without possessing a necessary biological, mental and moral qualities. The main antagonists of socialists were always the old aristocracy and bourgeoisie. It is quite explainable these were privileged classes and they rightly feared that they could lose their social status, if socialist principles were to be applied in their countries. At the same time, there were considerations of maintaining social order, on their part, as well. The intellectual elite was well aware that the proponents of socialism would not only promote the idea of social equality, but they would also enforce it, as soon as they would gain enough political influence. Instead of believing in childish concepts of paradise on Earth, aristocracy and bourgeoisie believed in power of universal corruption among politicians. (2) Socialism is very contradictory theory, because it proclaims the priority of individual values, on one hand, but on another, it regards such individual as social nucleus.

It strives for the integral functioning of society, but it can only be accomplished if powerful bureaucratic authority is established. But then, the social progress in every socialist society becomes stagnant, as bureaucracy is not concerned with anything else but pursuing its own secular agendas. The appearance of socialist theories was motivated by the advance of what we refer now to as The Age of Reason and an increasing role of capitalist economy. Socialism couldve proven itself as useful practical theory, if it was only applied in the field of economics. But it strived for no less than imposing its notions on the whole spectrum of socio-political relations within human societies. This is the main reason why many people think of Socialism with disdain.

Bibliography: History of Socialism (2003). Absolute Astronomy. com. March 16, 2005. web Kreis, Steven The French Revolution and the Socialist Tradition: Early French Communists (2004).

The History Guide. March 16, 2005. web Footnotes: It is a controversial outlook on the historical significance of Socialism; nevertheless, it is a fact that there are just too many similarities between Socialism and Christianity to suggest that they all have coincidental nature. History shows that very often Socialists used to instantly forget about their proclaimed principles, as soon as they would take over the political power.

Research essay sample on Socialism In Eighteenth Century Europe