There is, however, a common thread sewn through the various genuine interpretations. There is common agreement, broadly, that society as it stands, is wrong, and that a fairer model can and should replace the unequal systems under which most of us live.

I understand socialism to be the belief (and actions inspired by the belief) that human beings must co-exist equally in their environment and utilise resources and labour in their common interest. We must all be viewed as intrinsically equal to our fellow men and women. Naturally then we must all have an equal crack of the whip (equality of opportunity) and no individual should be allowed to limit others through economic or social domination or persecution.

These are not new ideas and Socialism is by no means a new science. The concepts of mutuality and co-operation are component parts of the evolution of the Human species, as are, in a lot of cases unfortunately, competition and division. In terms of society most people hold ‘socialist’ views regardless of whether they view themselves as socialist or not. Not many people will disagree with equality or universal suffrage. The texts and doctrines of the world’s large religions are saturated with an ethos of sharing, co-operation and mutual respect, in spite of the hypocrisy of the religious leaders and their institutions. Most modern Governments, Presidents, Prime Ministers, Taoisigh, et al pay at least lip service to equality, liberty and freedom, albeit for their own selfish reasons.

Regardless of the cynical, liberal terminology of the so called world leaders, the vast majority of the planets population lives and labours under a political system, which is at odds with their needs and stifling of their potential. That is, a system which is unfair, unjust and benefits the few at the expense of the many. This system can be defined as modern capitalism and is maintained by powerful individuals and institutions, some of which are mentioned above. Why then, given the discourse of the leaders of the ‘free world’, is there not a local, national or global system in place which encompasses and practices credibly what everyone seems to hold as a universal truth: That people are equal and deserve to be treated equally? What would that political system be called? How would it function?

Socialism the ‘brand name’ has had many changing faces and misinterpretations and is largely today a word/Ideology, which invokes suspicion and resentment in most victims of the western ideological nerve gas: The mainstream media. It is lambasted as a bully, a loony, impractical, archaic, tried and failed. It is the ethos of dictators and despots who seek global domination. It is utopian and impractical. It is at odds with human nature. It’s not relevant in ‘The Real World’. These claims are exacerbated by the fact that many of the great socialist experiments of the past have ended in catastrophe. These failed systems have provided the ammunition for capitalist media conglomerates and allow ‘Socialism’ to be interpreted and manipulated by western, mainstream, media as the very antithesis of itself.

The broad ‘western’ view of what socialism is, or rather was, is in keeping with the ‘end of history, things will never change’ analysis, perpetuated by powerful people who have much to lose to socialism. Socialism, for the global ruling class who control information in all but a few examples, is anathema to their political outlook. It has therefore, quite naturally, been the focus of black propaganda and slander campaigning since its inception and more definitively now in the era of capitalist domination, when the gap between rich and poor is greater than ever.

The powerful and wealthy beneficiaries of the current global political dispensation would have us believe that the debate about power, and who has it, is over, that the debate about ideology is over, the debate between the left and right is over, that we have effectively reached the ‘end of history’, that the world has reached its definitive state and will continue, as it is now, in perpetuity.

Lets hope not, for the sake of the millions who are dieing of curable diseases, starving and being slaughtered in wars over wealth and greed. Lets hope not for the millions who sell their labour for fractions of what it is worth, in the daily struggle to raise children and keep roofs over their heads. Lets hope not for the millions in debt to greedy banks, corporations and landlords. Lets hope not for the environment and the planet. Lets hope not for the majority of us! Because currently there are a minority of winners and they know it. Hence the slander and abuse the left receives. Hence the concentrated campaign against leftwing views, movements, political parties, Countries, organisations, and Individuals. Hence the demonisation and ridicule of anyone who dares whisper the word socialism. We must ask ourselves, why?

Socialism is the enemy of the oligarch, the corporation, the monarch and the wealthy ruling elite. It is the only ideology, which legislates for the future of society competently. Crucially, it concurrently demands the deconstruction of the oppressive systems presently in place; the systems maintained by the privileged minority, whose motivations are personal, selfish and destructive. It teases out an internationalist outlook and encourages a more humane form of co-existence.

Socialism is the counterbalance to the destructive forces of capitalism and the activism that derives from it is essential. It is essential for the continuation of the human species and the maintenance of the biosphere in which the species exists. Current global socio-economic and environmental conditions demand that we establish a sustainable equilibrium with the planet and the local and global community. The current state of affairs even by the most conservative of estimates is quickening environmental catastrophe and human extinction. The big picture is disaster and the little picture is continuing misery for the majority of the human race. True Socialism, espouses standards, which should encourage a co-operative humanitarian ethos amongst all people. And which should inspire all of us to challenge and change the world in which we live.

It is also importantly the greatest threat to the accumulated wealth of the minority, who currently govern global affairs. These factors make Socialism the nemesis of the status quo and of Capitalism. They are the reason for the global campaign against the left and the growing, all permeating, authoritarianism of the capitalist regimes, particularly spearheaded by the Anglo-American alliance.

Does the fact that global capitalism is in the ascendancy mean then that socialism is now irrelevant or, as right wingers and apologists may argue, has run its course, had its day etc.?

I would argue that the need for a radical societal change on a socialist basis is more acutely necessary now than ever before. I genuinely feel that the relentless, all consuming, tide of capitalism will have to break or be broken in the very near future to guarantee any stable future at all. I would argue that not only has socialism not been defeated but that it is alive and well in communities and families across Ireland and throughout the world. The vast majority of us have a social conscience, which compels us to support our fellow human beings. We may be severely limited in our ability to do so, yet we feel a humanitarian urge that tells us, instinctively what is wrong with the world and drives us to some degree to challenge it.

We know that invading countries and slaughtering hundreds of thousands of people for oil, land or wealth, is wrong. We know that slavery and sweatshops are wrong. We know that starvation is wrong. We know that millions of poor people dying of diseases that were cured centuries ago, is wrong. We know that crippling mortgages, massive debt, third world health and education systems, unemployment and poverty in the richest countries on earth, is wrong. The question is how do we right these wrongs?

What is lacking is a genuine, coherent and effective umbrella of governance, a system, which guarantees our rights and marginalizes the more destructive, greedy elements within society effectively. What is lacking is the implementation of a local national and global political framework, which accommodates us all equally and to which we all contribute equally. The cynical bodies that currently exist are insufficient, corrupt and irreformable. They act only as a preservative of the status quo. People are beginning to recognise this and are fighting back in many different ways.

In South America there is a resurgence within the left which is standing up to and shedding its shackles of the biggest economy and military machine in the world. Its no surprise we hear almost nothing of this in the western press. In the Middle East the North American and European oil thieves have stretched their armies to breaking point and have lost the battle for control. In Asia new economies are developing which are creating conflict between the ruling powers of east and west. Direct action and protest on a litany of issues are creating fractures all over the armour of the ruling elite in Europe. Anti-Globalisation and Anti-War rallies are bigger than they have ever been and the advent of the Internet is creating a new ‘free’ media which is beyond western control and is opening eyes like never before. Through community groups, social movements, revolutionary organisations and dedicated collections of activists all over the world, people are beginning to strip power from their detached and irrelevant leaders in governments and disperse it amongst their communities.

We are beginning to challenge the ‘end of history’ analysis and demand something new. We need to encourage and support the organisations and individuals rising in reaction to the destruction of the planet and its population by those currently in power. Eventually all of the apparently disparate social movements and non-aligned groups, who struggle in their own ways against tyranny, will have to re assess and converge in common cause, against what is a common enemy; Capitalism. This realignment should be defined along socialist lines, empowering people to change and control their conditions and standards of living and also to stand up to bullies and dictators, whatever form they may take and wherever they may be.

What then, is socialism? It is the only chance that we have. Unless we, locally, nationally and internationally, begin to challenge capitalism and the systems, organisations and individuals who leech from the planet and the population then none of us will exist in the future. The situation is as stark as that. Whether on the macro or micro levels, the reality is that small groups of, usually white males, are organising and controlling systems, which are unjust, unfair, inhumane, criminally greedy and ultimately destructive. Socialism is about turning all of that on its head, tackling that power away and instead distributing power, wealth, control and resources among the peoples of the planet, equally. It is a daunting challenge, yet in the face of annihilation you either resist or stick your head in the sand. Some will fight. Most will not, but socialist struggle will always exist, as long as there is oppression and inequality. It is the counterbalance to villainy and greed and it is alive and well in every citizen of the planet and more capable than ever, if people have the courage to embrace it and the conviction to deliver it.

‘No part is too great or too small. No one too old or too young to do something.’