WEST-E Social Studies Test 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The emphasis on collective ownership and class struggle is central to socialism. This ideology advocates for the means of production, distribution, and exchange to be owned or regulated by the community as a whole rather than by individuals. Socialism emerged as a response to the inequalities produced by capitalism, advocating for a more equitable distribution of wealth and resources among the population.

Collective ownership means that resources are shared among the members of a society, which contrasts sharply with individual ownership that characterizes capitalism. Additionally, class struggle is a key concept in socialism, arising from the belief that history is marked by conflicts between different social classes, particularly between the working class (proletariat) and the owning class (bourgeoisie). This struggle is viewed as essential for achieving societal change and ultimately establishing a classless society.

In contrast, the other ideologies mentioned do not prioritize collective ownership in the same way. Liberalism focuses more on individual rights and freedoms, emphasizing limited government intervention in personal and economic matters. Conservatism generally supports maintaining traditional institutions and values and may advocate for capitalism and private ownership rather than collective means. Fascism promotes a totalitarian state and nationalism without necessarily focusing on class struggle or collective ownership, usually maintaining existing class structures while aligning them with state goals.