Socialism and Christian socialism

1. Socialism

- number of working class is increasing (more and more factories)-> living and working conditions are
terrible

- several people and organizations try to find a solution, common theme: critical of the existing order
of things, society should be just, no private ownership -> social instead, everyone receives equally
(food, money, shelter, etc)

- how they want to reach it: makes different groups

a. Marx and Engels: communists – revolution of the working class, seize the means of production and
power, and the use of dictatorship and force; very against the church;

history: a constant battle between social classes (poor and rich)

b. social democracy: peaceful, with democratic means (like voting) – but still the working class has
the power

no to: dictatorship, violence, revolution

yes to: trade unions, political parties

want to get: voting rights for the working class

2. Christian socialism:

the Church has less and less power by the 19th century, but they still see the bad conditions of the
working class -> some of the socialist thoughts have an effect on them

pope Leo XIII: marxism is rejected (revolution, no private ownership)

goal: a community based on Christian values,

writes and open letter about lessening the suffering of the working class, in which the rich
should take part in too