Question

Why were socialist against private property and saw it as the root of all social ills?

Answer 1

Socialists were against private property, and saw it as the root of all social ills of the time. Why? Individuals owned the property that gave employment but the propertied were concerned only with personal gain and not with the welfare of those who made the property productive. So if society as a whole rather than single individuals controlled property, more attention would be paid to collective social interests. Socialists wanted this change and campaigned for it.

Answer 2

1. Socialists criticised private ownership of means of production because the owners cared for only personal gain and not for the workers who toiled to make the property productive. 2. Socialts aim was overall development by means of co-operative administration of the nation. 3. If the society collectively owned the property then more attention would be paid to collective common problems. 4. Thus the ownership of private property gave power to the workers who were exploited.