Socialism vs State Socialism
Socialism is a family of ideas holding that the economy should be owned or controlled socially, so that wealth and power are shared more equally.
- Economic inequality is a central social problem, not a natural outcome to accept.
- Workers and communities should have more control over the places where they work.
- Key industries and services should be owned publicly, cooperatively or by workers.
State socialism places major industries under government ownership and uses central planning to direct production, investment and prices.
- The state should own major industries, banks, land and natural resources.
- A central plan should guide production and investment instead of market prices.
- Everyone should be guaranteed work, housing, education and health care.
- Socialism: petals and stars
- State Socialism: dashed outline
★ Where they differ most
- Authority80 points apart
Socialism: Democratic (mild). State Socialism: Strong leader (moderate).
- Culture70 points apart
Socialism: Multicultural (moderate). State Socialism: National identity (mild).
- Security60 points apart
Socialism: Liberty (mild). State Socialism: Order (moderate).
- Structure60 points apart
Socialism: Central (mild). State Socialism: Central (strong).
★ Where they are closest
- Welfare · 0 apart
- Religion · 20 apart
- Ownership · 20 apart
Axis by axis
State Socialism
Economy
Equality / Markets- OwnershipStrong: Public88%12%PublicPrivate
- MarketsModerate: Planned80%20%PlannedFree
- WelfareStrong: Shared90%10%SharedSelf-reliant
State and liberty
Liberty / Authority- AuthorityMild: Democratic65%35%DemocraticStrong leader
- SecurityMild: Liberty55%45%LibertyOrder
- StructureMild: Central40%60%LocalCentral
Society
Progress / Tradition- MoralityModerate: Progressive75%25%ProgressiveTraditional
- ReligionModerate: Secular75%25%SecularReligious
- TechnologyMild: Embrace60%40%EmbraceCaution
- CultureModerate: Multicultural70%30%MulticulturalNational identity
World
Global / Nation- TradeBalanced50%50%GlobalProtected
- Foreign policyModerate: Cooperation75%25%CooperationStrength
★ 12 Axes Political Test ★
How close are you to Socialism or State Socialism?
Answer plain statements on 12 axes and see your match with Socialism or State Socialism and every other profile on the site, axis by axis.
FAQ
Socialism vs State Socialism
What is the difference between Socialism and State Socialism?
Socialism is a family of ideas holding that the economy should be owned or controlled socially, so that wealth and power are shared more equally. State socialism places major industries under government ownership and uses central planning to direct production, investment and prices. On the 12 axes they differ most on authority, culture, security.
What do Socialism and State Socialism have in common?
Their positions are closest on welfare, religion, ownership. Overall their profiles are a 76% match on the 12 axes used by the 12 Axes Political Test.
Am I closer to Socialism or State Socialism?
Take the 12 Axes Political Test. Your result shows your match with both, and with every other ideology on the site, axis by axis.