socialism

C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Science Academic · Technical

n. in some theories, the stage of society that happens after capitalism but before communism.

n. in Marxist theory, the transitional stage between the overthrow of capitalism and the realization of communism.

“In his history class, he studied how socialism was defined in Marxist theory.”

“Marxist scholars distinguish socialism as a distinct phase where the state controls production before the eventual transition to a stateless communist society.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Informal · American English

n. a word sometimes used to describe government rules or programs that help people, like public schools or parks.

n. a broad application of the term to describe any government-funded welfare programs or state regulations within a capitalist framework.

“Some people call public libraries a form of socialism because they are free for everyone.”

“In contemporary political discourse, the term is frequently applied to any policy that expands the social safety net through increased taxation and public spending.”