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The Soul of Man under Socialism by Oscar Wilde - Analysis, themes and devices

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Analysis It is easy to pop dreams, because they are inflated with pretty thoughts like a balloon. So instead of refuting/rebutting communism… A selfish gene always overtakes a population of altruists (converting private property into public wealth, and substituting co-operation for competition, will restore society to its proper condition of a thoroughly healthy organism, and insure the material well-being of each member of the community. ") Against communal property: entropy; living like pigs in a hotel I can quite understand a man accepting laws that protect private property, and admit of its accumulation, as long as he himself is able under those conditions to realise some form of beautiful and intellectual life. But it is almost incredible to me how a man whose life is marred and made hideous by such laws can possibly acquiesce in their continuance. There is a way around this. Work harder and get your own property. Or was this when there was no class mobility? The note of the ...

The Soul of Man under Socialism by Oscar Wilde -- Summary

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In the current state of capitalism, people are forced to live for others, to be altruistic. This happens because poverty is ubiquitous and people are moved to help. These good intentions culminate in negative results: the aid extended maintains the status quo of poverty (the poor make do with what they are given). This does not allow for a systemic change that would solve the root of the problem and not merely its symptoms.  Socialism would amend this by providing a systemic social change. Private property will be made public (communism which he calls socialism), but there should be no government. Along with socialism, individualism is also necessary (also, socialism will promote individualism). Individualism is achieved by not working and pursuing pleasurable pastimes. Very few people achieve this currently. The rest work like beasts and have no time to self-actualize. Maintaining private property is a fuss, and so should be abolished. The poor should rebel against their sorry sta...