bstacle for workers to become educated and at the same time undermined the entire concept of socialization. Lastly, the lack of democratic culture made it difficult for socialism to prevail; this will be discussed in further detail later. Those with special abilities or talents were more interested in joining the ranks of the privileged than working to extend fruits of working for the community. It must also be noted that socialism like any other economic system needs time to develop. The process of feudalism to capitalism in Europe took over five hundred years. It is also interesting to note that during the demise of Napoleon in 1815, people were told democracy was dead. In the same way now, we are told socialism is dead even though it has been given little realistic chance or time to succeed. If the USSR had survived socialism may be on the right course but as it was changes were made radically and the problems were not changed just covered up by providing for a capitalist system. Ultimately, the full development of socialism is impossible without democracy. Being able to speak your mind and have an equal say in decisions is an essential part of individual freedom—the primary aim of socialism. Its importance extends also to socialist production. To be able to control your labor you have to be able to have a say in how production is to be carried out and your role in it. And the efficient running of a socialist economy requires supervision from below which must mean widespread freedom of speech and participation in decision-making including control over people in leading positions. While a capitalist economy, relying on market incentives, can function without economic democracy, a socialist economy cannot. If socialism is unable to achieve freedom and democracy in both the political and economic field, it is a failure. This was the case in China and the Soviet Union. Socialism in these countries wasn't very democra...
