What is meant by social ownership of the means of production?
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Social ownership is the appropriation of the surplus product, produced by the means of production, to society as a whole. It is the defining characteristic of a socialist economic system. Social ownership of the means of production is the common defining characteristic of all the various forms of socialism.
Who owns the means of production in a socialist society?
The social relations of socialism are characterized by the proletariat effectively controlling the means of production, either through cooperative enterprises or by public ownership or private artisanal tools and self-management. Surplus value goes to the working class and hence society as a whole.
‘social relation of production’ is a key term in Marx’s theory of history, for the social relations of production of a society give that society its fundamental character and make it, for example, a capitalist rather than some other kind of society.
What is the difference between private ownership and social ownership?
Ownership is the ultimate right to control property. So in this context, it is about who has the right to control the means of production. Private ownership of the means of production is the definition of capitalism. In contrast, social ownership of the means of production is the definition of socialism.
Therefore “social ownership of the means of production” exists nearly everywhere around the globe in one form or another. The main differentiation from “private ownership of the means of production” is simple: it’s democracy.
What are the different forms of ownership in socialism?
Economic systems. Social ownership is any of various forms of ownership for the means of production in socialist economic systems, encompassing public ownership, employee ownership, cooperative ownership, citizen ownership of equity, common ownership and collective ownership.
What is private ownership of the means of production?
Ownership is the ultimate right to control property. So in this context, it is about who has the right to control the means of production. Private ownership of the means of production is the definition of capitalism.
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