Socialism
An Economic and Sociological Analysis
Ludwig von Mises (1988)
Abstract: Socialism is an idea that affects many modern societies, aiming to give control of production to the State for the benefit of all. Ownership is seen from both social and legal angles, which brings up issues with collective ownership. Democracy is important because it promotes equality and good leadership. Socialism tries to change relationship dynamics between men and women and how resources are shared. However, it struggles to organize production and make accurate economic calculations. Critics believe that socialism can harm society by reducing productivity and limiting individual freedom and creativity.
Chapter Summaries:
PART I LIBERALISM AND SOCIALISM
CHAPTER III THE SOCIAL ORDER AND THE POLITICAL CONSTITUTION
CHAPTER IV THE SOCIAL ORDER AND THE FAMILY
PART II THE ECONOMICS OF A SOCIALIST COMMUNITY
SECTION I THE ECONOMICS OF AN ISOLATED SOCIALIST COMMUNITY
CHAPTER I THE NATURE OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY
CHAPTER II THE ORGANIZATION OF PRODUCTION UNDER SOCIALISM
CHAPTER III THE DISTRIBUTION OF INCOME
CHAPTER IV THE SOCIALIST COMMUNITY UNDER STATIONARY CONDITIONS
CHAPTER V THE POSITION OF THE INDIVIDUAL UNDER SOCIALISM
CHAPTER VI SOCIALISM UNDER DYNAMIC CONDITIONS
CHAPTER VII THE IMPRACTICABILITY OF SOCIALISM
PART II THE ECONOMICS OF A SOCIALIST COMMUNITY
SECTION II THE FOREIGN RELATIONS OF A SOCIALIST COMMUNITY
CHAPTER I NATIONAL SOCIALISM AND WORLD SOCIALISM
CHAPTER II THE PROBLEM OF MIGRATION UNDER SOCIALISM
CHAPTER III FOREIGN TRADE UNDER SOCIALISM
PART II THE ECONOMICS OF A SOCIALIST COMMUNITY
SECTION III PARTICULAR FORMS OF SOCIALISM AND PSEUDO-SOCIALISM
CHAPTER I PARTICULAR FORMS OF SOCIALISM
CHAPTER II PSEUDO-SOCIALIST SYSTEMS
PART III THE ALLEGED INEVITABILITY OF SOCIALISM
SECTION I SOCIAL EVOLUTION
CHAPTER I SOCIALISTIC CHILIASM
CHAPTER III CONFLICT AS A FACTOR IN SOCIAL EVOLUTION
CHAPTER IV THE CLASH OF CLASS INTERESTS AND THE CLASS WAR
CHAPTER V THE MATERIALIST CONCEPTION OF HISTORY
PART III THE ALLEGED INEVITABILITY OF SOCIALISM
SECTION II THE CONCENTRATION OF CAPITAL AND THE FORMATION OF MONOPOLIES AS PRELIMINARY STEPS TO SOCIALISM
CHAPTER II THE CONCENTRATION OF ESTABLISHMENTS
CHAPTER III THE CONCENTRATION OF ENTERPRISES
CHAPTER IV THE CONCENTRATION OF FORTUNES
CHAPTER V MONOPOLY AND ITS EFFECTS
PART IV SOCIALISM AS A MORAL IMPERATIVE
CHAPTER I SOCIALISM AND ETHICS
CHAPTER II SOCIALISM AS AN EMANATION OF ASCETICISM
CHAPTER III CHRISTIANITY AND SOCIALISM
CHAPTER IV ETHICAL SOCIALISM, ESPECIALLY THAT OF THE NEW CRITICISM
PART V DESTRUCTIONISM
CHAPTER I THE MOTIVE POWERS OF DESTRUCTIONISM
CHAPTER II THE METHODS OF DESTRUCTIONISM
CHAPTER III OVERCOMING DESTRUCTIONISM
CONCLUSION THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF MODERN SOCIALISM
§ 2 The crisis of civilization